Matt Abé: “Once I set my mind to something I will see it through”
His debut solo restaurant may have won two Michelin stars in a matter of months, but Bonheur’s chef-patron is not stopping there.
Business & Legislation
Comptoir Group reduces its losses as cost efficiencies take effect
Comptoir Group says operational efficiencies and a push for covers has helped decrease its losses in its current financial year.
Crowd pleasers: how food halls became hospitality’s not-so-secret weapon
The UK food hall sector is booming, with 65 sites currently in development and average revenues on the increase. What’s behind the growth, and is it sustainable?
Hospitality insolvencies on the rise as tax burden increases and dip in consumer confidence takes hold
The number of accommodation and foodservice businesses entering insolvency increased by 22% month-on-month, according to the latest figures.
Benugo partners with The Clink Charity
Benugo has entered a five-year partnership with The Clink Charity to create a pathway for prison leavers into long-term hospitality careers.
MEATliquor appoints administrators
MEATliquor has officially appointed administrators, having closed more than half of its restaurant estate.
Franco Manca to close 16 sites under CVA
Fulham Shore is to launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) this week for its pizza brand Franco Manca that will result in around 16 of its 70 UK restaurants closing.
Naked ambition: inside the return of Jamie’s Italian
With the relaunch of Jamie’s Italian in the UK, Brava Hospitality Group and Jamie Oliver Restaurants are attempting to pull off one of the biggest gambles in the history of hospitality.
Comment
The deal for Caring’s empire is a game changer for hospitality
The £1.4bn price tag for The Ivy Collection is an eye-watering number, but the potential rewards are just as eye-watering.
Rob Roy Cameron to depart Basque restaurant ALTA to focus on new projects
Chef Rob Roy Cameron will leave his role as head chef of Basque restaurant ALTA this month.
Chipotle looks to grow UK estate by 20%
Chipotle has unveiled plans to grow its UK estate by 20% this year as the US burrito giant looks to expand across Europe.
Mission Mars reports strong progress as Rudy’s expansion continues
The group behind the Albert’s Schloss and Rudy’s pizza brands has reported positive half-year results as it looks to continue expansion across the UK.
Floating restaurant Caravel closes after four years
Floating London restaurant Caravel on Regent’s Canal has closed as well as its sister restaurant Studio Kitchen.
Young’s buys Cubitt House’s group of pubs
Young’s has acquired Cubitt House London Pubs in a deal worth around £30m.
Gareth Ward’s Gwen restaurant to close
Gareth Ward’s Machynlleth restaurant Gwen will close next month after three years.
The Clove Club slashes mid-week menu price
Two Michelin-starred restaurant The Clove Club has announced it has reduced the price of its menus mid week in the face of rising costs.
April 1st no laughing matter as cost increases force job cuts and closures
More than half of hospitality businesses will cut jobs and cancel their investment plans as a result of increases in employment costs and business rates that come into force today (1 April).
Confidence in hospitality sector rises but prospect of increasing costs remain a concern
Hospitality leaders have entered 2026 with the more optimism than the previous year, new data shows.
Just Eat and Pasta Evangelists among businesses being investigated in reviews probe
Just Eat and Pasta Evangelists are among a number of businesses facing investigation from the UK’s competition watchdog as part of a probe into fake and misleading online reviews.
Restaurant delivery boosted at-home sales in February
New delivery offers helped restaurants to strong at-home sales growth in February despite a sharp drop in takeaways, new data shows.
Sadiq Khan aiming for London’s ‘biggest ever summer for al fresco dining’ as Summer Streets returns
The Mayor of London’s ‘Summer Streets’ fund will return to the capital for a second year, in a bid to boost its bars, cafes, hospitality and nightlife economy.
Pizza Hut revamps reward scheme
Pizza Hut UK has its upgraded loyalty programme Hut Rewards so that customers are rewarded every time they order.
Market Halls secures £11m to fund its expansion
Market Halls has secured £11m in funding to support the next phase of its national growth.
London’s licensing rethink is a chance for the industry to make itself heard for the right reasons
A major rewrite of London’s licensing rules could benefit well-run hospitality businesses, but engagement from operators will be critical to getting it right.
Comment
Why hospitality keeps moving - even as the world grows more uncertain
The industry is facing some strong headwinds, but the sector’s ability to continue progressing is striking.
Prezzo Italian’s family dining subscription earns 4,000 signups in first month
Prezzo Italian’s family dining subscription, which entitles up to three children to a free three-course meal with an adult main purchase, has had 4,000 signups in its first month.
Industry encouraged to give feedback on the Mayor of London’s proposed licensing reforms
London operators are being encouraged to respond to a consultation that could bring about the biggest shake-up of licensing in the capital for decades.
Soho’s Shackfuyu to revert to Bone Daddies format, marking the end of ‘London’s longest pop-up’
Japanese restaurant Shackfuyu will close after more than a decade with its owner converting it into its Bone Daddies format.
Oldham restaurant Delve closes weeks after being put up for sale
Oldham restaurant Delve has closed with immediate effect just months after its owner had announced he was looking to sell.
Boxpark signs deal with The Jockey Club as it looks to expand its events business
Boxpark has secured its first multi-year partnership with The Jockey Club that will see it return to the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse for this year.
March tube strikes cancelled
Two planned 24-hour strikes by London Underground drivers set to take place next week have been called off, the RMT union has confirmed.
Pret a Manger to open first drive-thru as it explores new formats
Pret a Manger will open its first drive-thru this spring as the group looks to evolve its offer through different formats and locations.
“Your policies are a dagger to our heart”: Thaikun shuts Cambridge restaurant
Thai Leisure Group has closed its Thaikun site in Cambridge, with managing director Ian Leigh blaming the move on government policy in a strongly worded statement aimed squarely at Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Tom Kerridge backs £1bn youth employment drive
Tom Kerridge and trade body UKHospitality have backed a major employment drive by the Government to create 200,000 jobs for young people.
Hospitality businesses to benefit from Government support to cut energy bills
More than 525 restaurants, small and medium sized pubs, and hotels are set to receive free support to cut their energy bills through the extension of a Government-funded energy and carbon reduction tool.
Azzurri Group explores sale of Dave’s Hot Chicken
Azzurri Group is reportedly preparing a sale of the UK and European franchises of its fried chicken brand Dave’s Hot Chicken.
Government to integrate VOA with HMRC from April
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will be integrated into HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) from 1 April 2026 as part of changes to the structure of government bodies.
Hospitality to be hit by spring tube strikes
A fresh wave of tube strikes starting from this month threatens to derail the hospitality sector’s hopes for a positive spring and could be devastating for operators it has been warned.
Vivek Singh: “We paved the way for the kinds of restaurants you wouldn’t have previously dreamt of in this country”
As The Cinnamon Club celebrates its 25th anniversary its co-founder reflects on how it played a pivotal role in challenging perceptions of Indian cuisine in the UK.
Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich to close their Honey & Spice deli
Middle Eastern restaurant group Honey & Co are to close their Honey & Spice deli on London’s Warren Street after a decade of trading.
Yolk launches £1m fundraise to kickstart expansion
‘Fine fast-food brand’ Yolk has launched another round of fundraising to facilitate the opening of its next two sites.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal to close next year
Heston Blumenthal’s two Michelin-starred restaurant within The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park will close next year after more than a decade and a half.
Sixco scraps crowdfund and undertakes corporate restructuring
Sixco, the group behind tasting menu restaurant brand Six by Nico, will not proceed with its crowdfund.
US brand Chili’s seeks franchisees to launch in UK
US casual dining group Chili’s looks set to become the latest American brand to try and crack the UK restaurant sector.
Major groups urged to reconsider higher welfare chicken U-turn
Three NGOs have issued a joint open letter urging hospitality companies to reinstate their commitment to higher welfare chicken.
Alex Claridge: “I contemplated closing The Wilderness and opening a French bistro”
After 10 years, Alex Claridge has finally realised his ambition of winning a Michelin star for his Birmingham restaurant. It turns out he just needed to stop trying.
UKHospitality Scotland urges Holyrood to use extra funding to expand hospitality support
The executive director of UKHospitality Scotland has called on the Scottish Government to use almost £1bn in additional funding to expand support for hospitality businesses.
“It’s been a fairytale”: Falmouth restaurant Hevva! to close
Falmouth restaurant Hevva! will close at the end of the month after just three years.
Equity holders ‘punked’ as BrewDog sale leaves them empty-handed
No offer was made for Scottish brewer BrewDog at any stage of its sales process that would enable it to be preserved in its entirety, and there will be no return for ‘equity for punks’ investors.
BrewDog snapped up for just £33m as 38 UK bars close
Scottish brewer BrewDog has been sold to US pharmaceutical giant Tilray for £33m.