Loungers creates 900 jobs as major expansion plans continue hospitality Cafe-bar and restaurant chain Loungers created more than 900 jobs in the year it quit the London Stock Exchange’s AIM, it has been revealed. The Bristol-headquartered business delisted in February last year after being acquired by Fortress Investment Group for £338m. The Cosy Club and Brightside owner was founded in 2002 by Alex Reilley, David Reid [...]
Bar boss quits Labour’s hospitality group after tax concerns hospitality A top boss of a British bar chain has quit a government hospitality taskforce after facing pressure over his criticism of Rachel Reeves’ tax agenda. Alex Reilley, the chairman of Loungers, has exited the Hospitality Sector Council (HSC) after receiving backlash from civil servants for publicly criticising Labour’s economic policies, The Telegraph reported. “I was [...]
Islington’s Laki Kane to shut months after relaunch Retail The iconic cocktail bar in the heart of Islington is set to close its doors for good just months after its relaunch
London cocktail chain Simmons enters administration amid site closures August 5, 2025 London cocktail chain Simmons has entered administration after announcing plans to close at least four sites as it became the latest victim of the immense cost pressure facing hospitality firms. The upmarket bar group, which had operated more than 20 venues across the UK, has appointed advisory firm Kroll to oversee the administration, company filings [...]
Young’s: Pub giant raises dividend as earnings jump June 5, 2025 Pub and bar operator Young & Co’s has reported a significant jump its earnings despite surging costs. The hospitality firm, which has 277 pubs across the UK, told markets that revenue rose 24.9 per cent from £388.8m to £485.8m in the 52 weeks ended March 31. The nearly 200-year-old pub business said adjusted operating profit [...]
Pub chain Marston’s toasts record festive sales boost January 21, 2025 Pub chain Marston’s has reported a “solid” festive quarter and record sales on Christmas day in another good sign for the hospitality sector. Total retail sales in the 16 weeks to January 18 were up three per cent, driven by growth in both food and drink sales, Marston’s said. Like-for-like sales during the same period [...]
Shepherd Neame: Britain’s oldest brewer ups dividend on ‘positive and encouraging’ results October 2, 2024 Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame have reported record revenue for the full financial year despite ongoing cost headwinds. The Faversham-based brand, which owns and operates 291 pubs across the southeast, told markets this morning that revenue for the 53 weeks to 29 June grew by 3.6 per cent to a record £172.3m, from £166.3m in [...]
New tips law welcomed but it could cause a headache for hospitality bosses October 1, 2024 A new tipping law, which has made it illegal for companies to withhold tips from employees, has been welcomed by workers and industry bodies but could lead to a headache for employers. Until today, firms were able to choose whether to keep tips made on card, or whether to pass the earnings on to employees. [...]
Mitchells & Butlers: Sales at Toby Carvery and All Bar One operator outperform September 26, 2024 Restaurant, pub, and bar operator Mitchells & Butlers, which owns the Toby Carvery and All Bar One brands, has reported rising sales in a slowly recovering industry. Like-for-like sales at the no-frills pub chain grew by 5.2 per cent during the 51 weeks to 21 September, driven by growth of 7.7 per cent in the [...]
Revolution Bars brings in industry veteran Luke Johnson to replace long-standing chairman September 9, 2024 Revolution Bars has announced the appointment of well-known investor Luke Johnson as non-executive chairman of the struggling business. Johnson will replace Keith Edelman, who has served as chairman for the last nine years. Earlier this month, the pub and bar chain completed a comprehensive restructuring plan designed to steer the business back to profitability, which [...]