Today’s news in brief – 09/04/25

The BII has called for “meaningful” support for pubs, as its latest survey revealed that 80% of its members said that all four elements of the changes that came into force this April have negatively impacted their businesses. Due to the budget changes, the BII’s survey revealed that 83% of members will now reduce staff hours and shifts; 63% will reduce staff numbers, through recruitment freezes or redundancies; and 72% will reduce their spend with suppliers, many of which are local.

Popeyes UK has partnered with SSP to open its first airport site at Birmingham Airport. The new Popeyes restaurant will open at Birmingham Airport in early summer 2025, and the partnership will allow more airport sites to follow. SSP is a key partner to Birmingham Airport, with Popeyes UK joining its diverse portfolio of F&B outlets which includes Shelby and Co, SSP’s Peaky Blinders-inspired bar and kitchen which opened in December 2024. The company specialises in QSR, cafes and food-led convenience stores.

Yard Sale Pizza has secured investment from PE firm Piper to fund an expansion across the capital and into new UK cities. Since 2013, it has grown steadily to 14 shops across East, North and South London, including a “record-breaking” opening in Earlsfield in March 2025. The group’s turnover is now £13m. Yard Sale operates an in-house team of e-bike delivery drivers, hired locally and given the same benefits as the hourly kitchen teams. All pizzas are handmade, designed to travel, and delivered in 24 minutes on average. 

Black Sheep Coffee has opened a new location at Silverburn, Glasgow’s shopping and leisure destination. The new store offers the chain’s “signature” robusta blend coffee, a “next-level” matcha range, functional health-inspired drinks, açaí bowls, and serving up something different to “suit any customer”. According to Silverburn, Black Sheep Coffee’s arrival complements its selection of high street fashion stores, premium retail outlets and variety of dining options.