Today’s news in brief – 24/04/25
UKHospitality has warned that the industry’s stability is under threat from a new wave of government costs, after pubs, restaurants and hotels achieved marginal growth in outlets over the last 12 months. It comes as CGA by NIQ and AlixPartners’ Hospitality Market Monitor revealed that a total of 98,866 sites were operating in March 2025, which was 0.1% more than 12 months ago. However, the last quarter – January to March – saw numbers fall 0.3% from the end of 2024, which is equivalent to 20 net closures per week.
Levy UK&I has renewed its contract with the QEII Centre for 10 more years. Levy stated that a key aspect of the contract renewal was the addition of esteemed chef partnerships collaborating with the venue’s “renowned” in-house catering service, QEII Taste. As part of the renewal, Will Devlin will be the first chef to work alongside QEII Taste executive head chef, Danilo Barbagallo, and his team to create ‘Michelin Dinner Packages’ for banquets. Levy UK&I has provided catering services at The QEII Centre for almost 40 years.
Chef Tom Brown has opened his new flagship restaurant, Tom Brown at The Capital, in Knightsbridge. Marking a return to the hotel, The Capital Hotel, where he first made a name for himself as head chef at Outlaw’s, the 28-cover restaurant will champion Brown’s signature style of “flavour-led” dishes with a “strong emphasis” on seafood. As part of a wider refurbishment of The Capital Hotel, the restaurant and adjoining bar will feature a contemporary design.
Greene King has reopened The Sherlock Holmes, one of London’s original themed pubs, following a six-figure investment to revive its interior and exterior. Said to have featured in the 1892 Sherlock Holmes story ‘The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor’, the Sherlock Homes is themed around Conan Doyle’s world-famous detective and has contained a large collection of memorabilia related to the character since the 1950s. The pub’s investment delivered thoughtfully-designed spaces that lean into the pub as a working museum.