Wells & Co. brings The Playwright back to Nottingham
Wells & Co., a pub operator and brewer, has announced the reopening of The Playwright, one of its managed pubs in Nottingham.
The pub reopened on Thursday, 11 December following a refurbishment costing over £500,000. Wells says the project highlights its ‘commitment to backing its pub estate,’ despite the growing financial and operational pressures on the sector, intensified by the Autumn Budget.
In addition to updating both the interior and exterior, the refurbishment has added new interactive entertainment.
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The pub reopened on Thursday, 11 December following a refurbishment costing over £500,000. Wells says the project highlights its ‘commitment to backing its pub estate,’ despite the growing financial and operational pressures on the sector, intensified by the Autumn Budget.
In addition to updating both the interior and exterior, the refurbishment has added new interactive entertainment.
more »
16/Dec/2025 08:09
Joe & The Juice presses ahead with major UK expansion
Danish-founded juice and coffee brand Joe & The Juice is continuing its significant UK store expansion, opening four new locations within just six weeks across November and December 2025.
Including earlier launches this year, the total number of new UK openings in 2025 reaches 16. This supports the brand’s strategy to grow to more than 1,000 locations globally over the next five years.
The expansion follows a 31% increase in Joe & The Juice’s UK store estate, rising from 68 locations at the end of 2023 to 89 by the end of 2025.
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Including earlier launches this year, the total number of new UK openings in 2025 reaches 16. This supports the brand’s strategy to grow to more than 1,000 locations globally over the next five years.
The expansion follows a 31% increase in Joe & The Juice’s UK store estate, rising from 68 locations at the end of 2023 to 89 by the end of 2025.
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16/Dec/2025 08:05
Grind set to open its first standalone travel café in London
Grind is set to open a new café opposite Platform 5 at Waterloo station, one of the UK’s busiest commuter hubs.
The new café opens from today (Monday 15 December) and operates daily from 7am to 10pm.
The launch marks the firm’s first standalone travel café and includes seating for 35 people.
The move is part of the brand’s plan to expand beyond craft coffee.
David Abrahamovitch.
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The new café opens from today (Monday 15 December) and operates daily from 7am to 10pm.
The launch marks the firm’s first standalone travel café and includes seating for 35 people.
The move is part of the brand’s plan to expand beyond craft coffee.
David Abrahamovitch.
more »
15/Dec/2025 11:59
Burger King UK plans to open 30 new locations each year
Burger King UK aims to open about 30 new restaurants a year from 2026, following reports of securing millions in new funding.
The chain’s private equity backer, Bridgepoint, has invested £15m in the fast food giant in recent days, with a further £20m expected over the next 18 months.
The move follows Burger King UK signing a new 20-year master franchise deal with a subsidiary of parent company Restaurant Brands International, expanding into the Republic of Ireland.
The brand operates 574 restaurants across the UK.
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The chain’s private equity backer, Bridgepoint, has invested £15m in the fast food giant in recent days, with a further £20m expected over the next 18 months.
The move follows Burger King UK signing a new 20-year master franchise deal with a subsidiary of parent company Restaurant Brands International, expanding into the Republic of Ireland.
The brand operates 574 restaurants across the UK.
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15/Dec/2025 09:56
Ocado retains title as UK’s fastest-growing retailer
Ocado has achieved a new record market share of 2.2%, with sales rising 15.8% over the 12 weeks ending 30 November, according to the latest Worldpanel by Numerator (formerly Kantar) data.
Meanwhile, Lidl continues its strong performance, posting double-digit sales growth of 10.2% for the ninth consecutive month. It also reached a market share of 8.1%.
Tesco and Sainsbury’s reported sales growth of 4.7% and 5.1%, respectively. Tesco remains Britain’s largest grocer with a 28.3% market share.
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Meanwhile, Lidl continues its strong performance, posting double-digit sales growth of 10.2% for the ninth consecutive month. It also reached a market share of 8.1%.
Tesco and Sainsbury’s reported sales growth of 4.7% and 5.1%, respectively. Tesco remains Britain’s largest grocer with a 28.3% market share.
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15/Dec/2025 08:49
Sides Fried Chicken expands into Scotland
Sides, the fried chicken brand founded by YouTube group the Sidemen, has announced plans to open its first Scottish locations in Q1 2026.
Two sites are planned for Glasgow’s St Enoch shopping centre and Livingston Designer Outlet.
The Scottish expansion comes as the business pursues what it describes in press materials as its ambition “to own the hot chicken category in the UK”.
Sides currently operates five UK restaurants at Lakeside in Essex.
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Two sites are planned for Glasgow’s St Enoch shopping centre and Livingston Designer Outlet.
The Scottish expansion comes as the business pursues what it describes in press materials as its ambition “to own the hot chicken category in the UK”.
Sides currently operates five UK restaurants at Lakeside in Essex.
more »
15/Dec/2025 08:37
Care Home Group acquires Delta Hotels by Marriott Heathrow Windsor
Gold Care Homes has acquired the 382-bedroom Delta Hotels by Marriott Heathrow Windsor in a multimillion-pound deal.
OakNorth Bank extended a £18.2 million loan to support Sukhi Gidar, chief executive and co-founder of Gold Care Homes, in acquiring the hotel.
Founded in Hertfordshire in 1999, the group has expanded to 45 homes caring for over 3,000 residents.
The newly acquired hotel features a fully equipped leisure club.
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OakNorth Bank extended a £18.2 million loan to support Sukhi Gidar, chief executive and co-founder of Gold Care Homes, in acquiring the hotel.
Founded in Hertfordshire in 1999, the group has expanded to 45 homes caring for over 3,000 residents.
The newly acquired hotel features a fully equipped leisure club.
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12/Dec/2025 14:19
Signet Library renews 12-Year partnership with Heritage Portfolio
Heritage Portfolio, a division of Sodexo Live, has confirmed the extension of its longstanding partnership with The Signet Library for another 12 years.
The renewed collaboration will pave the way for much-anticipated accessibility enhancements, as well as sustainability upgrades to the venue’s kitchens and service infrastructure.
The investment aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the kitchen and service areas will replace gas cooking with modern induction hobs, marking a significant step toward lower energy consumption and improved environmental performance of the building.
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The renewed collaboration will pave the way for much-anticipated accessibility enhancements, as well as sustainability upgrades to the venue’s kitchens and service infrastructure.
The investment aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the kitchen and service areas will replace gas cooking with modern induction hobs, marking a significant step toward lower energy consumption and improved environmental performance of the building.
more »
10/Dec/2025 10:16
Aldi prepares to open five new stores over the next 24 hours
Aldi has revealed that it will open five new stores within a 24-hour period as the Christmas shopping rush approaches.
The retailer will launch new branches in Uxbridge, Old Kent Road, Northallerton and Pershore on 11 December, followed by another opening in Yate, Bristol, on 12 December.
The new stores will provide customers with fresh British produce as well as its popular range of Specialbuys. The five openings are also expected to create around 200 jobs across the local communities.
Jon Neale.
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The retailer will launch new branches in Uxbridge, Old Kent Road, Northallerton and Pershore on 11 December, followed by another opening in Yate, Bristol, on 12 December.
The new stores will provide customers with fresh British produce as well as its popular range of Specialbuys. The five openings are also expected to create around 200 jobs across the local communities.
Jon Neale.
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10/Dec/2025 09:56
Tesco unveils its new low-carbon concept superstore in Harrogate
Tesco will officially open its new low-carbon concept superstore in Harrogate today (9 December), a development that will bring 120 new jobs to the North Yorkshire community.
The new store showcases a suite of sustainability-driven design features, such as a low-carbon timber frame structure, solar panels that produce electricity on site, locally reclaimed stone, and advanced energy-efficient heating and lighting technologies.
The site represents a model for future store construction as it aims to lower the environmental footprint of its wider estate.
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The new store showcases a suite of sustainability-driven design features, such as a low-carbon timber frame structure, solar panels that produce electricity on site, locally reclaimed stone, and advanced energy-efficient heating and lighting technologies.
The site represents a model for future store construction as it aims to lower the environmental footprint of its wider estate.
more »
09/Dec/2025 12:23
Country Range Group names new Buying Director
The Country Range Group (CRG) has appointed Dean Pendlebury, previously head of training, as its new buying director, with the role taking effect on 1 January 2026.
Pendlebury has been with CRG since 2013, contributing over a decade of experience. Throughout his tenure, he has managed purchasing strategy, tenders, and trading compliance, playing a key role in the company’s operations.
CRG chief executive Martin Ward, said: “Dean has been pivotal in our recent success and in helping us take our collective purchasing power past the £360 million mark.
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Pendlebury has been with CRG since 2013, contributing over a decade of experience. Throughout his tenure, he has managed purchasing strategy, tenders, and trading compliance, playing a key role in the company’s operations.
CRG chief executive Martin Ward, said: “Dean has been pivotal in our recent success and in helping us take our collective purchasing power past the £360 million mark.
more »
09/Dec/2025 08:55
Center Parcs plans £450m investment in new Scottish Borders resort
Center Parcs has received planning approval for its seventh village across the UK and Ireland, the new Center Parcs Scottish Borders.
The new village will be situated in the south of Scotland, between Hawick and Selkirk, and will include up to 700 lodges and apartments.
Guests will enjoy a Subtropical Swimming Paradise, a village centre with shops and restaurants, and the signature Aqua Sana Forest Spa.
The project will also include the creation of a new forest for the first time.
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The new village will be situated in the south of Scotland, between Hawick and Selkirk, and will include up to 700 lodges and apartments.
Guests will enjoy a Subtropical Swimming Paradise, a village centre with shops and restaurants, and the signature Aqua Sana Forest Spa.
The project will also include the creation of a new forest for the first time.
more »
09/Dec/2025 08:50
Papa Johns set to create 400 jobs as part of a new franchise expansion deal
Papa Johns is gearing up to add around 400 jobs across the UK as part of a new franchise deal to roll out 20 additional restaurants.
The pizza chain has joined forces with the Rana Group, which already runs 25 Papa Johns locations in the UK.
They plan to open the new restaurants across Northern Ireland over the next ten years.
The debut site launched in Ballymena on 5 December, with a follow-up location to be revealed by March 2026.
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The pizza chain has joined forces with the Rana Group, which already runs 25 Papa Johns locations in the UK.
They plan to open the new restaurants across Northern Ireland over the next ten years.
The debut site launched in Ballymena on 5 December, with a follow-up location to be revealed by March 2026.
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08/Dec/2025 14:14
London Wine Fair 2026
The London Wine Fair is set to take place between the 18th and 20th May 2026 at Olympia, London.
The fair provides an opportunity for discovery, learning, and even celebrating all things wine trade related.
The Fair brings together around 18,000 buyers, producers and trade professionals for three days of business.
The event will host thousands of wines, innovative tastings and industry sessions.
more »
The fair provides an opportunity for discovery, learning, and even celebrating all things wine trade related.
The Fair brings together around 18,000 buyers, producers and trade professionals for three days of business.
The event will host thousands of wines, innovative tastings and industry sessions.
more »
08/Dec/2025 08:41
SITT Spring London 2026
The Specialist Importers Trade Testing (SITT) event is set to take place on Wednesday 25th February 2026 at The Royal Horticultural Halls in London.
The event brings together the best specialist importers, independent buyers, hand-crafted wines from around the world and masterclasses, workshops and wine tasting.
For more information please visit https://www.sittastings.com/
The event brings together the best specialist importers, independent buyers, hand-crafted wines from around the world and masterclasses, workshops and wine tasting.
For more information please visit https://www.sittastings.com/
08/Dec/2025 08:37
M&S launches new food hall in the Midlands
Supermarket chain M&S has unveiled its new “market-style” food hall at Cannock’s Orbital Retail Park in Staffordshire.
The store was officially opened by long-serving employees.
Housed in the former Homebase location, the new space is three times larger than M&S’s previous unit.
Shoppers can enjoy the new bakery and coffee counter, serving a variety of barista-made hot and cold drinks, or visit the hot chicken counter for rotisserie chicken.
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The store was officially opened by long-serving employees.
Housed in the former Homebase location, the new space is three times larger than M&S’s previous unit.
Shoppers can enjoy the new bakery and coffee counter, serving a variety of barista-made hot and cold drinks, or visit the hot chicken counter for rotisserie chicken.
more »
08/Dec/2025 08:17
Unox names Steven McGarvie as its new UK managing director
Steven McGarvie will join cooking equipment manufacturer Unox UK as its new managing director on 7 January 2026.
He takes over from Scott Duncan, who stepped down after four years in the role to become managing director of Hobart UK.
McGarvie brings extensive experience in the foodservice equipment sector, most recently serving as UK sales and marketing director for display and hot-holding specialist Victor Manufacturing.
He joined Victor’s senior leadership team in 2020.
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He takes over from Scott Duncan, who stepped down after four years in the role to become managing director of Hobart UK.
McGarvie brings extensive experience in the foodservice equipment sector, most recently serving as UK sales and marketing director for display and hot-holding specialist Victor Manufacturing.
He joined Victor’s senior leadership team in 2020.
more »
08/Dec/2025 08:05
Greggs unveils a second branch of its ‘Bitesize Greggs’ concept
The bakery chain Greggs has opened its second ‘Bitesize Greggs’ store.
Located at Dartford train station in Kent, the new store enables the firm to serve customers in busy, space-restricted locations.
This follows the launch of the chain’s first Bitesize Greggs store at Sevenoaks train station.
Tony Rowson, property director at Greggs said: “We’re delighted to announce the opening of our second ‘Bitesize Greggs’ shop in Dartford Station.
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Located at Dartford train station in Kent, the new store enables the firm to serve customers in busy, space-restricted locations.
This follows the launch of the chain’s first Bitesize Greggs store at Sevenoaks train station.
Tony Rowson, property director at Greggs said: “We’re delighted to announce the opening of our second ‘Bitesize Greggs’ shop in Dartford Station.
more »
05/Dec/2025 16:34
Drinks Retailing Awards 2026
The Drinks Retailing Awards are set to take place on Tuesday 3rd February 2026 at The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London.
The event includes a champagne reception, three course meal, post awards entertainment and sponsored bars.
Award categories include Independent Spirits Retailer of the Year, Independent Wine Retailer of the Year, Supermarket of the Year, Multiple Beer Retailer of the Year and Convenience Chain of the Year.
For more information please visit https://drinksretailingawards.
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The event includes a champagne reception, three course meal, post awards entertainment and sponsored bars.
Award categories include Independent Spirits Retailer of the Year, Independent Wine Retailer of the Year, Supermarket of the Year, Multiple Beer Retailer of the Year and Convenience Chain of the Year.
For more information please visit https://drinksretailingawards.
more »
04/Dec/2025 08:44
SITT Spring Manchester 2026
The Specialist Importers Trade Testing (SITT) event is set to take place on Monday 23rd February 2026 at etc Venues, Manchester.
The event brings together the best specialist importers, independent buyers, hand-crafted wines from around the world and masterclasses, workshops and wine tasting.
For more information please visit https://www.sittastings.com/sittspring2026/en/page/home
The event brings together the best specialist importers, independent buyers, hand-crafted wines from around the world and masterclasses, workshops and wine tasting.
For more information please visit https://www.sittastings.com/sittspring2026/en/page/home
04/Dec/2025 08:39