Today’s news in brief – 27/03/25

Restaurants continued to struggle for growth in delivery and takeaway sales in February, according to CGA by NIQ’s Hospitality at Home Tracker, which revealed that like-for-like sales were up by only 1.7% from the same period in the year before. Weak growth has been attributed to a squeeze on many consumers’ spending in light of rising household costs, as well as uncertainty about the economic outlook. 

The Revel Collective announced that CFO Danielle Davies has resigned to take up another opportunity. Prior to The Revel Collective, Davies worked as chief financial officer at Foot Asylum for almost four years. She began her career as an auditor at EY before advancing to leadership roles at Pets at Home, Matalan, and Co-op. The news of Davies’ departure comes after the group reported that sales for the 26-week period to 28 December 2024.

Wasabi has opened its latest location near Monument station in Central London, its first new opening in London for some time. The King William Street location spans approximately 1,600 sq ft and will offer 37 covers. Most recently, Wasabi posted profits of £21.9m for the year ended 31 December 2023.The company stated that this was down to a “solid performance” which improved profitability as it balanced inflationary pressure.

The Lomond Leisure Group has started a joint £275k revamp of the Van Winkle bar on Sandyford Place, Glasgow, with Star Pubs. The investment will transform the bar, which will close on 30 March, into Gael and Grain, a pub celebrating Scottish food, drink and music opening in mid-May, creating eight new jobs. Whilst the 64-seater ground floor will cater for drinkers and diners, the basement will act as an events space.