Today’s news in brief – 29/01/25

The hospitality sector ended 2024 with virtually the same number of premises as 12 months earlier. According to data from CGA, there were a total of 99,120 outlets operating in December 2024 – up slightly from 99,113 sites a year earlier. It represents a year of solid consolidation after contraction in both 2022 and 2023, when the licensed sector shrunk.

SSP Group has reiterated its full-year guidance as LFL sales rose 6% in Q1. For the whole period, group sales were 14% higher than the previous year, with sales rising by 9% in the UK thanks to good passenger numbers in air travel and a lower incidence of industrial action in the rail sector compared with last year. 

Greene King saw a 30% rise in online Christmas Day bookings at managed pubs compared with the previous year, with a 13% rise in December alone. According to the pub group, some 45 million customers visit its website annually and has delivered a multi-million pound investment which has transformed its online presence. 

Boxpark has appointed Chris Burford as CFO to support and strengthen the operations and growth strategy of the business. With over 25 years of experience working across private equity and venture capital-backed enterprises in the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors, he joins having held senior finance positions at Wagamama, Leon and EG Group.