Today’s news in brief – 30/01/25

TGI Fridays has closed its flagship venue in London’s Leicester Square, which opened in 2015 after a multi-million pound investment. The closure means that TGI’s now has no restaurant in Central London although it retains venues at the O2 Greenwich and Westfield Stratford.

UKH has urged the chancellor to bring forward a specific growth plan for hospitality, and other sectors in the foundation economy, that can deliver growth “swiftly”. The hospitality-specific growth plan should start with reassessing the changes to employer National Insurance contributions, UKH leader Kate Nicholls said, calling it “the single biggest blocker to growth and investment”.  

Delivery and takeaway sales growth slowed in December as consumers shifted towards going out, rather than ordering in over Christmas, according to CGA by NIQ. While at-home sales have risen for 19 months in a row, the December sales rise is well short of November’s growth of 6.2% and marked the lowest point since March 2024.

The Weatherbury has been brought to market for the first time in 40 years for £650k. The traditional pub with rooms in the coastal town of Weymouth is located in a residential neighbourhood a short walk from the beach. The pub kitchen has not been in operation for the last 12 months, creating an opportunity for a new owner to develop this side of the business further.