Today’s news in brief – 15/08/24

Honest Burgers will see CEO Thomas Kelly assume the role of chair next month. It comes after Kelly’s appointment as CEO earlier this year in January, following the departure of Frank Hayes. In the meantime, current CFO, Matt Brandon, has been appointed as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is found. 

Heartwood Inns has acquired two more Whitbread restaurants – the George and Dragon, and the Red Lion – for an undisclosed amount. Both properties are set to undergo multi-million-pound refurbishments. Heartwood Inns has now acquired four sites from Whitbread in total. 

Train drivers will vote on a new pay offer after an agreement has been reached. The new offer is for a 5% backdated pay rise for 2022/23, a 4.75% rise for 23/24, and 4.5% increase for 24/25. There have been 18 strikes since Aslef first balloted for industrial action in June 2022, which are believed to have cost the hospitality industry more than £3.5bn in lost sales.

Urban Pubs and Bars has acquired The Herne in East Dulwich for an undisclosed amount, taking its estate of London sites to a total of 44 with more to follow. Built in the mid-19th-Century, The Herne is a Victorian pub which benefits from a large beer garden. The group has already launched a new menu, which features pub classics and a Sunday Roast.