Birmingham restaurant Simpsons to close after 32 years
Birmingham Michelin-starred restaurant Simpsons is to close after more than three decades after failing to find a new owner.
News
Big Mamma reports rise in turnover as it plots more UK restaurants
Turnover at Big Mamma rose by a quarter in 2025 with the casual dining group reporting ‘high demand’ across its UK restaurant estate.
DGB Hospitality Group to revive Liverpool’s The Black Horse and Rainbow
DGB Hospitality Group will open its ninth Liverpool city centre venue later this summer.
The Salad Project opens first travel hub site
The Salad Project has opened its first travel hub location at London Bridge station.
Uncorked: Clement Cousins
The co-owner of Leeds restaurant Bavette on Vin Jaune, Campania-based winemaker Antonio Gismondi and his family’s vineyard in the Loire.
Leon gets green light from creditors to emerge from administration
Leon will emerge from administration after receiving unanimous support from creditors who voted as part of the Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).
Adam Handling launches caviar brand
Frog and Ugly Butterfly chef Adam Handling has launched a caviar business.
Giraffe lands at Edinburgh Airport
TRGC, the UK travel food and drink division of The Restaurant Group, has opened a Giraffe restaurant at Edinburgh Airport.
Sophie’s to shutter Chelsea restaurant after nearly 25 years
Sophie’s Steakhouse & Bar has announced it will be closing its Chelsea restaurant on Fulham Road at the end of the month after a run of almost a quarter of a century.
Gouqi rescued through pre-pack sale
The future of high-end Chinese restaurant Gouqi has been secured following a successful pre-pack sale.
Fulham Shore CEO Marcel Khan to stand down
Marcel Khan is to step down from his role as chief executive of Fulham Shore having overseen the CVA and restructure of Franco Manca and the sale of The Real Greek.
Alex Hunter: “We’re going big on seaweed”
The Sea The Sea founder moves his seafood bar and fishmonger to larger premises later this month, which will allow him to be even more creative with all things marine related.
Flash-grilled: Yiannis Mexis
The chef behind Southwark restaurant Pyro on Grant Achatz, Belgian restaurant Hof van Cleve and his Vitamix.
Market Halls’ Games Hall concept to take flight
Market Halls is expanding the competitive socialising Games Hall concept it launched at the end of last year.
BrewDog co-founder James Watt launches new beer venture
BrewDog co-founder James Watt has revealed plans to launch a new beer company.
The Woozy Pig to close only bricks-and-mortar venue
Street food company The Woozy Pig in Cheltenham has announced that it will close its only brick-and-mortar venue, located at 50 Suffolk Road.
Gouqi files notice to appoint administrators
The future of high-end central London Chinese restaurant Gouqi is in doubt after its parent company filed a notice to appoint administrators.
Farm Girl to launch fundraise ahead of Mayfair opening
Healthy food brand Farm Girl is launching a crowdfund to support the opening of its fourth location.
Chris McClurg and Alice Stewart to go it alone at Belfast’s Regency House
Chris McClurg is teaming up with his partner Alice Stewart to take over Belfast’s Regency House hotel.
Friday five: the week’s top stories
Michelin’s decision to retire its Green Star and a temporary VAT cuts for children’s meals are among this week’s top news stories.
Uncorked: Katalin Szegedi
The assistant general manager at Mayfair Georgian restaurant DakaDaka on growing up in an alcohol-free household, Gut Oggau and overly scripted service.
Michelin-starred Surrey restaurant Sorrel seeks new owner
Chef Steve Drake has placed his Michelin-starred Surrey restaurant Sorrel on the market amid plans to move on.
Ukraine neo-bistro Mriya to close its doors
Mriya, the Earl’s Court neo-bistro run by Ukrainian refugees, will close early next month, having traded for just under three years.
VAT on children’s meals to be temporarily cut to 5%
The Government will cut VAT on children’s meals from 20% to 5% between 25 June and 1 September.
Young’s delivers ‘record’ performance
Young’s has reported a ‘record’ performance for the year ended 30 March, with revenue rising 4.6% to £508.2m from £485.8m the previous year.
Clover and out: Why Michelin’s Green Star scheme failed
Michelin’s controversial sustainability rating has been consigned to the history books and replaced with a new ‘editorial initiative’.
‘Industry working incredibly hard just to stand still’ as hospitality sees sales decline
Hospitality groups experienced a 0.4% decline in like-for-like sales in April, as consumers continued to tighten their spend.
The man who changed how chefs chop
For three decades, Jay Patel has been at the sharp end of the UK’s knife scene, championing Japanese-made blades as the tool of choice for ambitious chefs.
Faber team to open Canary Wharf community-led pub
The team behind seafood restaurant Faber as well as pubs The Somers Town Coffee House and The Victoria and 26-cover restaurant Above will open a new community-led pub later this summer.
Open Restaurant Group to launch new all-day Manchester venue
Open Restaurant Group is continuing its rapid growth across the country with plans for a restaurant in Manchester.
It’s not easy being Green: Michelin retires sustainability star scheme
Michelin is retiring its Green Star sustainability awards system after six years.
Victor Garvey’s Michelin-star restaurant to relocate to Notting Hill
SO|LA, Victor Garvey’s Michelin-starred restaurant in Soho will relocate to Notting Hill, next to the chef’s sister restaurant MATER1A, this June.
Tube strikes planned for this week suspended
Tube strikes that were due to take place on Tuesday and Thursday this week have been called off by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).
Bunsik to open final company-owned site as its looks towards franchising
Bunsik will open what it says will be its final company-owned site, with future expansion expected to focus primarily on franchise-led growth.
Comment
Comment: is Pizza Express’ new QSR format a masterstroke or pie in the sky?
The casual dining pizza giant’s new, smaller format in Brixton targeting on-the-go eating has divided opinion...
Creative Restaurant Group sells Japanese restaurant NIJŪ
Creative Restaurant Group has sold its Japanese restaurant NIJŪ in Mayfair to investment group DMIG.
US healthy food brand Rōti Modern Mediterranean makes UK debut
US fast-casual brand Rōti Modern Mediterranean now has a presence in the UK with the establishment of three London kitchens.
Hop Vietnamese to open fifth London restaurant
Hop Vietnamese is to open its seventh restaurant, having secured a site on London’s Tottenham Court Road.
Flash-grilled: Gerald van der Walt
The South African-born head chef at Lake District Hotel Linthwaite House on Peter Tempelhoff, Kirkby Lonsdale’s The Milking Parlour and barbequed crocodile tail.
Dirty Bones closes Carnaby restaurant
New York-inspired restaurant brand Dirty Bones has announced the closure of its Carnaby site.
Friday five: the week’s top stories
Another high-profile opening from Gordon Ramsay and the collapse of one of the UK’s oldest restaurant groups were among this week’s biggest hospitality headlines.
The National Restaurant Awards 2026 Restaurateur of the Year shortlist
Here’s the rundown of nominees in the running for this year’s Restaurateur of the Year award, sponsored by Chapman Ventilation.
Uncorked: Miles Tuddenham
The general manager of Devon winery restaurant ROAM on Valais, overchilled whites and cult Jura-based winemaker François Rousset-Martin.
70-year-old restaurant group Spaghetti House closes
One of the UK’s oldest restaurant groups has closed all of its sites after falling into administration.
Fogo de Chão and Fazenda Rodizio unify under one global brand
Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão has announced the unification of its UK restaurants under a single global brand, following its 2024 acquisition of Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill.
Italian restaurant Giulia to close after five years
West London Italian restaurant Giulia Restaurant has announced it will close in June after a five-year run.
Nigel Ng aka Uncle Roger: “I love seeing my cuisine and my people do well”
Following success with restaurants in his native Malaysia, the viral comedian has just thrown open the doors at his debut London venture.
Young National Chef of the Year semi-finalists revealed as live cook-offs return
The Craft Guild of Chefs has announced the semi-finalists for Young National Chef of the Year, with live cook-offs returning for the first time since before the pandemic.
UKHospitality slams ‘nonsensical’ holiday tax decision
The inclusion of a holiday tax bill in the King’s Speech yesterday (13 May) will make UK staycations more expensive, UKHospitality has warned.
Shaftesbury Capital says demand for space remains high in 2026
Shaftesbury Capital says there continues to be competitive demand for space in its high-footfall destinations as it reported a ‘positive start’ to the year.