Today’s news in brief – 05/03/24

Greggs reported pre-tax profits of £188.3m for 2023, as sales increased 19.6% to £1.8bn. The group opened a “record” 220 new shops in 2023 and 75 closures (145 net openings), growing the estate to 2,473 shops as at 30 December 2023. Looking ahead, Greggs expects no change to management’s expectations for 2024 and is “confident that it can deliver another year of good progress”. 

Thirty7 will debut in Covent Garden, London. The new all-day dining concept from Hampton and Co will be its third hospitality venue within the London neighbourhood. Thirty7 will be opening a 1,544 sq ft space at 37 Bedford Street and will seat 45 diners, including a basement cocktail bar. 

Chiave will be opening on 12 March in Shoreditch, London. The brand new cocktail bar will feature a basement with an intimate dance floor space that can hold approximately 30 people with a DJ booth and seats around the edges of the room. 

Cornish Bakery closed its Southwold location to complete refurbishment works. The bakery is expected to reopen on Friday 15 March and reveal a new interior and exterior. The site will benefit from a complete refresh of its interiors, with the inclusion of natural timber cladding and tiles in rich earthy tones. Externally, the garden space will be revamped to become “more comfortable in all weather conditions”.