Tourists help boost luxury London hotels despite widening losses July 23, 2025 Losses have widened at a luxury London hotels group despite international tourism helping to boost its sales to a new record. Firmdale Hotels, which was founded by Tim and Kit Kemp, has fallen to a pre-tax loss of £30.4m for its year to 31 January, 2025, new accounts filed with Companies House show. The total [...]
JD Wetherspoons: Sales overtake pre-pandemic levels July 23, 2025 Sales at JD Wetherspoon have overtaken pre-pandemic levels for the first time after a sluggish five years for the hospitality industry. Revenues at its 794 pubs have grown 5.1 per cent in the year to date, the company told markets this morning, putting growth at the chain above the industry average. “Sales volumes, which were [...]
British and Irish Lions tour boosts Aussie booze sales by a third July 22, 2025 Major Australian cities have seen a 30 per cent uplift in alcohol sales as a result of the British and Irish Lions tour, City AM can reveal. The touring side began the three-Test series with a win over Australia on Saturday having been in the country, playing provincial sides, for the previous three weeks. Thousands of fans [...]
London hotel rates quintuple amid supersonic Oasis demand July 22, 2025 London hotel rates have soared as Oasis fans pour into the capital for a string of shows at Wembley. The average cost of room rates in Wembley jumped to £560 for Friday, 25 July, compared to £114.83 for the following week, according to consulting firm RSM UK. “The impact of this iconic band reforming brings [...]
Compass: Catering giant buys Vermaat Groep in £1.3bn deal July 22, 2025 Compass has agreed to acquire European food services business Vermaat Groep for €1.5bn (£1.3bn). Shares in the hospitality giant rose by more than five per cent in early trades. Vermaat, which is a market leader in the Netherlands, will give Compass a “unique opportunity” for sustainable growth in Europe, the catering company told markets this [...]
Marston’s: New pub strategy helps sales July 22, 2025 Pub giant Marston’s has said its switch from brewing to ‘pure-play hospitality’ is progressing ahead of schedule and showing encouraging results. Like-for-like sales for the 15 weeks to 12 July 2025 rose 2.9 per cent, in line with expectations, Marston’s told markets this morning. Excluding the impact of last year Euro 2024 Championships, like-for-like sales [...]
Mitchells and Butlers on road to FTSE 100 if streak continues, City broker says July 21, 2025 City broker Peel Hunt has suggested Mitchells & Butlers, owner of hospitality chains All Bar One and Nicholson’s, could make its way into the FTSE 100 if it continues to outperform the market. Mitchells & Butlers has beaten the wider hospitality sector every year since 2017, growing at 3.9 per cent in the first quarter [...]
Olympia: Rooted in history. Transformed for the future. July 15, 2025 Olympia’s legacy Olympia opened its doors in 1886 and has been hosting inspiring events ever since. From breathtaking consumer shows and thrilling sporting and music events, Olympia has been an icon for culture, creativity, entertainment, events and exhibitions. As it approaches its 140th year, Olympia is getting ready to unveil its £1.3bn regeneration project, set [...]
Pub bosses in joint call for ‘urgent’ tax reform July 14, 2025 Pub bosses have called for urgent reform of the business rates system, arguing that the levy places unfair pressure on hospitality venues at a time of rising costs across the board. Greene King boss Nick Mackenzie said that business rates should be “fundamentally reformed” so that the tax – which applies to all commercial venues [...]
Wimbledon, Euros and Test cricket set to boost pubs and supermarkets July 12, 2025 Pubs and supermarkets are bracing for a bumper weekend thanks to the heatwave and a deluge of live sport on TV including Wimbledon finals, Test cricket and the Lionesses. A British and Irish Lions tour match, England and Wales rugby internationals, other Women’s Euros fixtures, Tour de France cycling and a trilogy fight between Katie [...]