Today’s news in brief – 29/04/25

The Ivy Collection has seen its turnover rise by 3.5% to £314.7m in the year to December 2023 despite having not opened any new venues during the period. The Richard Caring-backed group also saw its profits before tax jump by 30% to £37.7m during the period, with its adjusted EBITDA rising 4.9% to £57.5m. According to the group’s filing at Companies House, its proposition “proved compelling value” for customers, which “contributed to another impressive year”. 

Carlsberg has had a “soft start” to the year, according to CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen, following the completion of its merger with Britvic. The Danish company posted a revenue increase of 17.4% for the three months ended 31 March 2025 but saw a 1.5% organic revenue development loss globally. The company stated that its reported revenue of DKK 20.1bn (£2.3bn) was positively impacted by its Britvic acquisition, which completed on 16 January 2025. 

Managed pub groups achieved 3.6% growth in like-for-like sales in March thanks to bright weather. According to CGA and RSM’s Hospitality Business Tracker, pubs also benefited from March events including Mother’s Day and St Patrick’s Day. This means that for the fourth month in a row they outperformed restaurants, which had a more challenging March with like-for-like sales slipping by 5.7%. The timing of Easter is a mitigating factor in this comparison, as this year it was celebrated earlier this April.

Accent Catering has appointed Rachel Wilson to its new regional directorship post to support its growing business in the Midlands. Wilson joined the independent catering company in February, and in her new role, she is now responsible for Accent’s portfolio of independent and state schools, as well as B&I contracts throughout the region, which stretches from St Albans to Staffordshire. Wilson brings over 20 years of operational experience, having previously worked as operations director and then regional director with Holroyd Howe.