Here’s why the Simmons bar was never going to last August 6, 2025 It should have worked. On every level. Millennial pink neon art, reliably late opening hours, chugging cheap cocktails to disco playlists. Who doesn’t like disco playlists? And yet, after taking the “tough decision” to close four bars, Simmons has gone into administration, owing millions to the bank and tax collectors. When Simmons launched in 2013, [...]
Simmons: Bar chain owed millions to OakNorth, tax collectors before entering administration August 6, 2025 Simmons owed millions of pounds in debts to OakNorth bank and tax collectors before it was put into administration, fresh corporate documents have revealed. The London-based cocktail bar chain has made at least 30 staff redundant alongside closing several sites as founder Nick Campbell battled to secure rescue funding to buy the company in a [...]
Labour to introduce new licensing rules to boost high street venues July 26, 2025 The Labour government has pledged to simplify the opening process for new high street venues in a bid to ramp up British hospitality prospects. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said new licensing framework, which comes as part of Labour’s overhaul on planning, plans to fast-track permissions for al fresco dining, helping to “protect pavement pints”. The [...]
Last orders pushed back as government slashes nightlife red tape April 4, 2025 The UK government is set to overhaul licensing laws to give pubs, clubs, and restaurants greater freedom to operate, aiming to revive the country’s nightlife economy and remove barriers to business growth. Key changes, which were announced by the Treasury on Thursday, include a landmark pilot in London granting Sadiq Khan new powers to review [...]
More good news for pubs as December splurge delivers crucial growth January 22, 2025 A rush of pubgoers in the last two weeks of December brought much-needed growth across the industry in a “big relief” for businesses. Pub sales were up 4.7 per cent ahead of December 2023, while bars bounced back from soft trading throughout most of 2024 to post growth of 1.3 per cent, according to the [...]
Business rates to more than double in ‘final blow’ to UK retailers January 21, 2025 Business rates are set to rise more than 140 per cent for thousands of high street businesses across the UK in yet another cost pressure for brick-and-mortar businesses. Business rates, which are levied on all commercial properties, were cut by 75 per cent in 2022 as high street stores found themselves unable to cope during [...]
Big NFL fan? These are the top London sports bars to watch American football October 4, 2024 The NFL returns to London this weekend for the first of three matches and, unsurprisingly, every one of them is sold out. So here’s where you can watch the NFL in London. P.S. Reservations recommended for all! Passyunk is NFL hot spot If you ask any NFL fan where they’ll be during a match the [...]
From Pizza Express to Channel 4: Who is Luke Johnson, Revolution Bars Group’s new chair? September 9, 2024 After a lengthy restructuring process that included £12.5m in emergency funding, Revolution Bars has appointed Luke Johnson as its new chair. The former Pizza Express and Channel 4 chairman provided £3m of the financing and owns a 20 per cent stake in the company. He will replace outgoing chair Keith Edelman, whose nine years in the role [...]
Sixes Social Cricket hits record turnover as first franchises open in UK September 3, 2024 The company behind the party bar chain Sixes Social Cricket has seen its turnover jump following the launch of its franchise arm, newly-filed documents have revealed. The Aberdeen-headquartered firm, which was founded in 2020, saw its turnover increase to £7.5m in the 12 months ending August 31, 2023, up from £4.5m in the year before. [...]
Olympics and Euros fuel spike in pub and bar spending August 19, 2024 Sporting events such as the 2024 Euros and Olympics led to an increase in spending across Britain’s bars and pubs, new data has revealed. Individual spending at bars and pubs rose by 11 per cent compared to last summer as Brits flocked to their local boozers to take in the summer of sport. The number [...]