Friday Five: the week s top news This week s main hospitality news stories include Jollibee s plan to invest £30m in UK expansion; Oakman acquiring six former Seafood Pub Company sites; and the extension of commercial rent protections.
- Filipino fast food chain Jollibee is planning to open 10 new restaurants in the UK this year
as part of a £30m expansion drive. The group, which currently operates three sites in London, Liverpool and Leicester respectively, wants to be in every major city in the UK . Last year Jollibee announced plans to open 50 restaurants across the UK in the next three to five years, as well as grow its presence in Italy, Spain and other European markets. The group will open a new flagship UK site in London s Leicester Square in May, after lockdown restrictions on restaurants are lifted, with another nine sites expected to launch before the end of the year. A further 15 to 20 openings are planned for 2022.
People moves: the latest news on people moves, jobs and training from across the pub sector This week’s round-up includes news that Marston’s CEO Ralph Findlay is to leave his role after 20 years, City Pub Group has hired a former Walmart boss, and the founder of Seafood Pub Company is to lead a new Oakman division.
Marston’s CEO Ralph Findlay to step down
The CEO of Wolverhampton-based pub operator Marston’s, Ralph Findlay, will step down from his role at the end of the current financial year on 30 September 2021.
Findlay has been CEO of Marston’s since 2001 and has overseen recent developments including the launch of the Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company joint venture with Carlsberg UK and a deal to operate SA Brain’s pub estate in Wales.
Derby Arms in Longridge
- Credit: Kirsty Thompson
Five Lancashire dining pubs have been saved after a recent acquisition by a regional pub chain.
The Alma Inn in Colne, The Derby Arms in Longridge, The Farmers Arms in Great Eccleston, The Fenwick Arms in Claughton and The Forest Inn in Fence, were all part of the award-winning Seafood Pub Company which faced trading difficulty in during the lockdown in 2020.
A deal to purchase the five Lancashire pubs along with The Fleece Inn, Addingham, West Yorkshire has been agreed with Home Counties-based operator, The Oakman Group, in a move that will save around 150 jobs.
Pub group saves six inns in the north of England and 150 jobs
Oakman plans to have 40 venues by the end of the year
Sign up for regular updates of events happening in Wales
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice
Home Counties-based pub company, The Oakman Group, are branching out into the north of the country with the purchase of six high-quality pubs in Lancashire in a move that will save some 150 jobs.