Today’s news in brief – 19/02/24

A quarter of hospitality businesses have no cash reserves, according to a joint survey by UKH, the BBPA, BII and Hospitality Ulster, which also revealed that a further 29% have less than three months’ worth of funds. As a result, the rising costs experienced by businesses have left 64% not optimistic about their business’s prospects for the next 12 months. 

Greene King Pub Partners will launch its second franchise pub concept, Nest Pubs. The new franchise concept follows the success of Hive Pubs, Greene King’s first franchise pub concept, which was launched in 2021 and now operates in 46 sites. 

Layers Bakery has opened a new waterfront store in Goodluck Hope, East London. The store is founded by three partners, who have years of industry experience in hospitality, retail, coffee, baked goods, and food. Goodluck Hope is the industrial-inspired riverside development of 841 new homes on Leamouth Peninsula.

Chef Tom Waters will launch his pop-up Gorse as a permanent venue in Pontcanna, Cardiff. Over the last 18 months Waters has been bringing his Gorse to independent venues around the Welsh capital. The new permanent site is expected to open on Kings Road by early spring.