News-In-Brief

Feb- 2025 -

25 February

Today’s news in brief – 25/02/25

Prosus has agreed to acquire Just Eat for €4.1bn (£3.4bn) to create the fourth largest food delivery group globally. Prosus acquires Just Eat’s entire issued share capital for €20.30 (£16.8) per share via a recommended all-cash public offer on the Amsterdam exchange. The acquisition provides an opportunity for Prosus to…

24 February

Today’s news in brief – 24/02/25

Some 70% of hospitality businesses will cut jobs due to reduced rates relief from April, according to a survey by The British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping, Hospitality Ulster and UKH. The survey also revealed that 60% would cancel planned investment, 29% will reduce trading hours…

21 February

Today’s news in brief – 21/02/25

Contract caterers saw their sales rise by 12% year-on-year in Q4 of 2024, following increases of 7%, 10% and 7% in the first three quarters. This means that caterers have now upped their sales year-on-year in every quarter since mid-2021 when venues were reopening after Covid restrictions. Monthly breakdowns showed…

20 February

Today’s news in brief – 20/02/25

The Nero Group has seen its overall sales rise by 13% to $680m (£539m) in FY24, having restarted its openings programme and added 61 new stores globally – 29 of which were in the UK. The Caffè Nero operator, which has a portfolio of 1,122 stores across 11 countries with…

19 February

Today’s news in brief – 19/02/25

Hospitality insolvencies were down 7% year-on-year from 3,737 in 2023 in 2023 to 3,464 in 2024, according to ONS data. Insolvencies in the sector saw an even bigger drop month-on-month, down 31% from 327 in November 2024 to 224 in the following month, and fell 29% compared with the same…

18 February

Today’s news in brief – 18/02/25

The BBPA has called for urgent government action as nearly 300 pubs closed in 2024 – an equivalent of six a week and more than 4,500 job losses alone. The regions that suffered the most were London at 1%, followed by the East Midlands and West Midlands, with 0.9% closures.…

17 February

Today’s news in brief – 17/02/25

The Cinnamon Collection will open its third site and its first in Leeds this May. Led by executive chef and CEO, Vivek Singh, the 105-cover restaurant and bar is launching in partnership with the Grade II-listed The Queens Hotel in Leeds city centre. The venue will be recruiting for a…

14 February

Today’s news in brief – 14/02/25

Punch Pubs saw its revenues rise 1.35% in Q1 ended 1 December 2024. It comes as the pub group spent £11m on the acquisition of 18 pubs, as well as a further £10.7m on expansion and maintenance. The group’s three divisions – leased and tenanted, and managed partnership and laine…

14 February

Today’s news in brief – 13/02/25

Chopstix has appointed Savills as its advisor to expand its existing portfolio, following a strategic investment in the brand from QSRP in October 2024. The chain plans to focus on high-traffic, prominent, and thriving areas, including high streets, shopping centres and travel hubs – all of which benefit from “substantial”…

12 February

Today’s news in brief – 12/02/25

Northern hospitality has outperformed its southern counterparts in 2024, according to the latest data from NRB and CGA by NielsenIQ, as the north of England recorded a modest growth of 0.1% in licensed venues while the south experienced a slight decrease of -0.2%. Northern cities have outperformed in both site…