News
The Cut & Craft beefs up presence at Victoria Leeds with restaurant expansion
20th February 2026British steak restaurant The Cut & Craft is set to nearly double its existing presence at Victoria Leeds, expanding its current space to introduce a new bar and lounge area. The new bar area will serve cocktails, champagne, snacks and afternoon tea. It will be complete with a dedicated stage on the ground floor to cater to late-evening entertainment and live music. The Grade II-listed building’s ornate features will remain present within the existing restaurant, with the addition of two private dining rooms on the first floor, as well as the new bar area. The private dining rooms can operate independently or can be combined to create a larger space, capable of hosting up to 40 covers seated or over100 standing. The existing restaurant will remain open throughout the duration of the construction, with completion and opening of the new bar expected this spring. Since launching in York in 2018, The Cut & Craft has continued to grow, having opened in Leeds in 2022 and Manchester in 2025. The strategic £1m investment to upsize the Victoria Leeds location follows a strong year for F&B at the destination, across The Cut & Craft, The Ivy, The Ivy Asia, and Caffè Concerto. Rachel Bradburn, […]
Deals
Oseyo to open largest UK store to date at Newcastle’s Eldon Square
19th February 2026Oseyo is set to open its largest store to date in the UK at Eldon Square in Newcastle. The Asian supermarket retailer will open a 20,000 sq ft store at the destination, its first location in the North East. The space will offer a range of Korean and Asian foods, toys, stationery, homewares, and electronics. The store will also feature a range of trend-driven experiences, including photobooths, claw machines, and a dedicated Korean beauty section. The Eldon Square opening marks the next step in Oseyo’s expansion into the North of England, with the new store joining existing locations in Manchester and Sheffield. Bernice Nesham, director of asset management at Pradera Lateral, said: “Starting in 2015 with a small shop on Tottenham Court Road, Oseyo has been reinventing the Asian supermarket industry in the UK over the last decade. We are thrilled to have such an innovative and disruptive brand select Eldon Square as both its largest store and its first in the North East. From new brands like Oseyo to the opening of our new multi-use leisure offering Freight Island, Eldon Square is charging into the future of bringing the very best experiences to our visitors.” Isaac Kweon, operations director at Oseyo, added: “Following the success of our […]
Requirements
Independent gym operator seeking more sites
19th February 2026Family-run gym operator Simply Gym has released its latest list of requirements as it looks to open more sites within major towns and cities across the South West and the Midlands. Simply Gym, which currently operates eight locations, is seeking units ranging between 15,000 sq ft and 45,000 sq ft, with a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 2.6 metres. Suitable units will be set across ground and/or first floors, with splits considered, and will also be supplemented by strong parking availability. Leasehold or freehold properties will be considered. Target locations include: FHP has been appointed to find suitable locations.
Insights
Comment: Supporting Small Business scheme ‘prolongs the agony’ for hospitality and retail sector
27th January 2026As the Government plans to introduce new measures to deal with business rates from April this year, a leading specialist on business rates at Form Property believes that retailers, pubs and restaurants in the UK are quietly heading towards a business rates reckoning – and some won’t survive it. Andrea Barnes, head of business rates at Form Property, says that the retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) sector is already ‘on life support’: “In recent years, many businesses have absorbed the loss of vital retail and hospitality relief – previously worth 75 per cent but reduced from April 2025 to 40 per cent. Layer on top of that the new legislation fixing multipliers at a minimum of 0.38, plus rising rateable values at the 2026 revaluation, and the numbers quickly become unworkable. “For a typical independent pub or restaurant, rates bills are set to rise by an average of £8,000-£10,000 a year from April 2026. In some cases, increases are even higher – enough to swallow margins that are often already razor-thin. “If the Government doesn’t act quickly, the fallout will be dramatic. New modelling from the UK hospitality trade body shows around six pubs, restaurants, hotels and other hospitality venues […]
News
Mitchells & Butlers to open new restaurant following Edinburgh acquisition
19th February 2026Mitchells & Butlers is set to open a new restaurant in Edinburgh after completing the off-market acquisition of the Charwood Bar and Grill on Buckstone Terrace from a private seller. The group – which operates multiple brands including Browns, All Bar One, Nicholsons and Vintage Inns – will reopen the 6,000 sq ft site later this year as a Miller & Carter Steakhouse following a £2m refurbishment. Savills acted for Mitchells & Butlers. John Menzies, director in the retail team at Savills Scotland, said: “This will be the third Miller & Carter in Edinburgh and its location to the south of the city, close to the Edinburgh bypass, will complement the existing city centre and west Edinburgh restaurants. The substantial renovations now underway will transform the business into one of the best new eateries in this district of Scotland’s capital city. “We are also now actively seeking further bar and restaurant opportunities for Mitchells & Butlers throughout the country for a variety of its brands and we are very pleased to be helping the business achieve this ambition over the coming year.” Ginny Uttley, senior acquisition manager at Mitchells & Butlers, added: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of The Charwood, […]
