Brewdog founder James Watt launches ‘equity punk’ comeback May 23, 2026 Brewdog founder James Watt has launched a comeback after the craft beer firm he co-founded collapsed earlier this year. Watt said on Friday he will launch Second Best, a new crowdfunded beer venture, in a bid to win back the “equity punks” who were left empty handed in Brewdog’s sale. The divisive entrepreneur said he [...]
Oyster Shed: Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone helps pub chain Young’s to biggest day of takings in 200 years May 22, 2026 One of the Square Mile’s best-known watering holes has marked the biggest single day of takings of any venue owned by pub chain Young’s since it was founded nearly 200 years ago, City AM can reveal. And the Oyster Shed had a helping hand from one of the best-known names in UK television: Jeremy Clarkson, [...]
Office foodies, the working lunch needs YOU! May 21, 2026 Amid a hospitality crisis, it's up to workers to take longer, boozier lunches and power the economy, says Nicole Gordon.
Tortilla Mexican Grill admits multi-million accounting blunder May 19, 2026 Shares in Tortilla Mexican Grill tumbled in early trade on Tuesday after the firm admitted to a multi-million pound accounting blunder. The AIM-listed business said it identified £2.5m of spending in its French arm which was “not expensed through the profit and loss account,” meaning it previously overstated its profits for 2025 and in doing [...]
Magners owner hits out at Reeves as hospitality crisis hits sales May 19, 2026 The maker of Magners and Bulmers cider missed its profit and revenue targets this year, blaming Rachel Reeves’ Budget and the “financial stress” it caused pubs and bars. C&C Group, which also owns the Orchard Pig and Jubel brands, said it is seeing resilient demand for cider and beer but plummeting sales of high-alcohol drinks [...]
Whitbread: Activist investor pushes for sale of FTSE 100 Premier Inn owner May 18, 2026 An activist investor with a major stake in Premier Inn’s owner Whitbread has called for the FTSE 100 firm to put itself up for sale, attacking its “chronic misallocation of capital”. Corvex Management, which owns 11.8m shares – around seven per cent – in Whitbread, has issued a scathing rejection of the firm’s latest cost-saving [...]
Is The Butcher’s Hook & Cleaver the City’s best pub? May 18, 2026 We have launched the Toast the City awards 2026 and throughout the year we’ll be speaking to some of the nominees. Today we caught up with The Butcher’s Hook & Cleaver general manager Iliana, whose awesome pub has been nominated in the Best Boozer category. To nominate your favourite Square Mile spots, from the best [...]
On this day in 1940: McDonald’s is born in a strange kitchen in California May 15, 2026 On this day in 1940, Mac and Dick McDonald opened an octagonal kitchen in San Bernardino and changed food forever, writes Eliot Wilson.
F1 Arcade, curling and axes: Inside London’s sport experience economy May 14, 2026 Whether it’s Formula 1, pool, axe throwing or curling; London’s experience economy is thriving as City social habits change. Earlier this month, Formula 1 ended a five-week hiatus in Miami. But over 4,000 miles away in the shadow of St Paul’s Cathedral in London, hundreds of fans gathered – at the last minute due to [...]
Deliveroo takes on the high street in grocery push May 14, 2026 Deliveroo customers will soon be able to shop from multiple shops in a single order and add restaurant items after checkout, City AM can reveal, as the Doordash-owned giant attempts to elbow in on the high street. The takeaway giant’s first new feature, called Bundles, allows users to order from up to three supermarket or [...]