Today’s news in brief – 29/01/24

Buzzworks reported a 19% increase in revenues to £29.9m for the year ending 30 April 2023. The group’s like-for-like sales were also up 5.3% for the five weeks to 31 December 2023, which came on top of “strong growth” last year. As part of its growth strategy, Buzzworks continued to invest in new and existing venues. 

Brakspear is expanding its leased and tenanted estate into Hampshire with the purchase of two pubs in the county from New Dawn Pubs. The Rose and Crown near Alton and The Royal Exchange near Bordon will join Brakspear’s 110-strong L&T estate. Both pubs benefit from “idyllic” village locations, significant investment and an existing trade in food and drink. 

Loungers has opened its 250th site, Pionero Lounge, in Rochdale today (29 January). According to Loungers, there is scope for at least 600 Lounges across the UK, as the group is on track to open 34 new sites in the current financial year alone. 

Modern salad bar Urban Greens is set to open a fourth site on Kensington High Street. The new flagship, opening towards the end of January, will sit within Wrights Arcade in Kensington. Alongside this the company is set to launch a new menu spearheaded by chef and Mob Kitchen alumnus Finn Tonry.