Investment

Our coverage tracks financial activity shaping the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, from venture capital and private equity backing to corporate acquisitions, refinancing deals, and growth funding. Our reporting is focused on the operators, brands, and concepts attracting capital, and what that means for the wider industry. Whether you’re a restaurant group seeking funding, a pub chain monitoring market valuations, or a catering contractor analysing competitor growth, our investment coverage delivers intelligence that helps business leaders understand where money is flowing, and why. Expect deep dives, expert commentary, and deal-by-deal context, all tailored to the foodservice trade.

Aug- 2019 -

22 August

Regulations & Policies

Mandatory calorie labelling a ‘retrograde step’, warns UKHospitality

UKHospitality has warned that the introduction of mandatory calorie labelling would place “significant burdens” on Scottish hospitality businesses. The warning follows recommendations by Food Standards Scotland to the Scottish Government to introduce mandatory labelling for all out-of-home food businesses. UKHospitality executive director for Scotland Willie Macleod said while UKHopsitlity is…
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22 August

Pubs and Bars

East Lothian pub reopens following £425,000 renovation

The Seaglass Inn in Port Seton, has reopened following a £425,000 refurbishment by Star Pubs and Bars, it will be run by mother and daughter team Christine O’Brien and Sarah Couch. The overhaul has given the pub a “stylish” contemporary look, created an outdoor area for alfresco eating and drinking,…
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21 August

Pubs and Bars

Red Oak Taverns acquires 18 pubs from Wadworth

Pub operator Red Oak taverns has acquired 18 pubs from brewers and pub operators Wadforth. The group of 18 leased and tenanted pubs are all located across the south and south west of England, bringing the group’s portfolio to 179 pubs across the UK. The acquisition follows Red Oak’s £42m…
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20 August

Pubs and Bars

Greene King acquired by CKA

Pub brewer and operator Greene King is set to be acquired by CKA Group for £2.7bn, with a further £1.9bn debt taken on by the group. The pub company will fall under CKA Bidco, a new arm of the group, which owns the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers as…
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12 August

Pubs and Bars

People Pub Company takes on 8th site with Star Pubs & Bars

The Pub People Pub Company has taken on its eighth Star Pubs & Bars site at Keoghs in Nottingham city centre. The pub will now undergo a £258,000 joint refurbishment which will start on 19th August to transform it into its second Six Barrel Drafthouse, a craft beer and draught…
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8 August

Pubs and Bars

Howard Arms reopens after £330,000 renovation

The Howard Arms pub in Carlisle has reopened after a £330,000 joint renovation between operator Dianne Irving and Star Pubs and Bars. The investment sympathetically restored the Grade II listed building whilst installing a new kitchen on the first floor to make extra trading space. The pub has been style…
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6 August

Pubs and Bars

The Sun Inn pub reveals £50,000 revamp

New jobs have been created at the Sun Inn pub in Ulverston, Cumbria, following a £50,000 project to revamp a disused area of its second floor. Room 1780 will open on Sunday 11 August, when Manchester United take on Chelsea in the Premier League. The new venue – named in…
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1 August

Analysis

Who now thinks Byron was worth £100m?

There was a time when Byron was all the rage. Perhaps the earliest successful British recreation of the exploding American ‘posh burger’ trend, it struck a chord with affluent London millennials and quickly became a posterchild for high-growth restaurant businesses in the fast-casual segment. Founded by Tom Byng in 2007…
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Jul- 2019 -

29 July

Catering Companies

Wilson Vale wins £400,000 contract

Catering provider Wilson Vale has won a £400,000 contract to provide services to property investment firm IM Group. After a successful opening, the caterer will provide breakfast, lunch, coffee bar and “extensive hospitality” services at the new site. Some 14 caterers applied during the tender process, which is valued at…
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22 July

Pubs and Bars

40 pub closures a month in 2019, study finds

Around 40 pubs a month, a total of 235, have closed since the start of the year according to the real estate adviser, Altus Group. According to the research the rate at which pubs are vanishing either being demolished or converted into other types of use such as homes and…
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