Today’s news in brief – 10/04/24

The Portobello Pub Company has acquired Darwin and Wallace for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition will add seven “high-volume” venues in Battersea Power Station, Clapham Old Town, Wimbledon and Richmond. Darwin and Wallace will continue to operate under the same name.

Sessions raised £3m from Guinness Ventures to expand its technology offering. The news comes as the hospitality growth platform is launching a new franchise arm, starting with SoBe Burger and Ivan Ramen. Since starting operations in 2020, the Sessions platform has grown to £55m in sales. 

UKH has welcomed the Labour party’s plan to fix the business rates system, as the industry body called the current system “archaic”. News follows the Labour party’s announcement of its plan for high streets, with the aim of rebalancing “the burden and levels the playing field”. 

New restaurant Voyagers has officially opened in Liverpool. Located at 38 Parr Street in the heart of the Ropewalks district, the 70-seater restaurant with 100-seater bar, gives diners a mix of globally-inspired dishes with a local twist and a selection of 35 wines and signature cocktails.