Today’s news in brief – 13/01/25
Arc Inspirations has reported a “record” sales rise of 10.8% for December 2024, with the help of three new flagship openings. The bar group saw total sales hit £2m, with average weekly sales across its 19 venues peaking at a “record” £106k of revenue per site. The three new venues recorded average sales of £117k per week in the peak Christmas trading week.
Consumer confidence recovered as 75% of people went out to eat in November 2024, according to CGA by NIQ. The research indicated that 92% of consumers visited venues in November, up by 2% from the month before. However, numbers visiting for drinks fell by 6% to 43%. In further positive signals, 49% of consumers said they had been out at least weekly.
The hospitality industry accounted for 10% of administrations in 2024, the fourth highest sector in the UK, according to analysis by Shakespeare Martineau. A total of 1,718 businesses, 172 of which came from the hospitality sector, filed for administration – marking a 28% and 5% increase compared with 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Various Eateries has appointed Mark Loughborough as CEO, effective 20 January 2025. He brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including most recently 14 years at Young and Co Brewery, where he served as retail director and executive board member.
The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye has appointed a new head chef. Paul Green has more than 20 years of international experience under the mentorship of some of the UK’s most acclaimed chefs, including Simon Rogan, Michael Smith, Martin Wishart and Adam Reid. Most recently he was head chef at the Driftwood Hotel in Cornwall.
