Bow Street, DP Poland, Club Med, pub regs, weight loss drugs & other:

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

So here’s a question for you, is it ‘while’ or is it ‘whilst’?

And, while / whilst we’re at it, is it ‘among’ or ‘amongst’?

Well, the internet would have it that it that there isn’t a right or a wrong word but adding an ‘st’ is less common, apparently.

I think I use them interchangeably, for what it’s worth. Admittedly adding an ‘s’ and a ‘t’ to things might be a bit archaic but what the heck, why not?

It adds a touch of class and I certainly need that and AI tells us amid(st) and toward(s) and forward(s) have similar issues.

Anyway, enough of that. I’m not paid by the word, let alone the letter so, without further ado, let’s move on to the news:

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PUBS & RESTAURANTS:

Tied pub regulation:

The Times reports that the government will not be removing any existing protections for tied tenants. It says that the review of the Pubs Code Adjudicator and the pubs code has concluded that the system currently in place is working but that it could still be strengthened further, should the need arise, in order to ‘provide more opportunities for tied tenants and pub-owning businesses....’

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Budget wish list:

The BII reports that a ‘fair tax deal for pubs will unlock investment and jobs in every community.’ It cautions that ‘without it thousands could close’ and says that its latest survey found that ‘75% of publicans stand ready to invest if taxes are reduced – but 2 in 5 expect to close if the tax burden rises yet again...’

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Weight loss drugs:

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association has reported that pubs and restaurants in Scotland are losing business as a result of the growing use of weight-loss drugs. it says that some 16% of its members responding to a survey said that visit numbers had fallen because of the use of the medication....

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Wales:

Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has said that rates will be cut for hospitality, accommodation and leisure venues from April 2027. He says that the 30% reduction is ‘about helping businesses like this to thrive, so our communities can thrive," ap Iorwerth said on a visit to a pub in Cardiff....’

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Other news:

Disposable incomes – mortgage rates are currently at five month highs. UK bonds are, at the longer end, at 20+ year highs and the Bank of England, which may likely be influenced by such things, comments on UK interest rates on Thursday.

Proof of ID: Pubs and shops are to be allowed to accept digital ID as proof of age when selling alcohol as a result of changes in the Licensing Act coming into force today in England and Wales....

BOW STREET GROUP – H1 RESULTS:

Bow Street Group, which operates the Wildwood and Dim-T chains of restaurants, has reported ‘improved trading reflecting management actions resulting in +5.6% LFL sales growth’. The group reports revenue of £14.4m (H1 20251: £15.1m), a decrease of 4.6% ‘primarily driven by a reduction of the Group’s estate with 29 restaurants trading at the end of the Period (29 June 2025: 32 restaurants).’

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COMPANY NEWS:

New Zealand-based restaurant booking platform First Table, which sees the UK & Ireland as central to its growth strategy, has raised $12m NZD (£5.1m) to fund its next phase of growth, reports Restaurant Online....

Burger & Lobster has reported results for the year to 28 Dec 2025 saying that revenue slipped to £33.7m from £34.1m in the prior year. The company reports a loss of £2m but says that it will focus on its franchised international estate in the near term.

The 300-year-old The Durham Ox in the Yorkshire village of Crayke has has invested more than half-a-million pounds to improve its visitor offering, supported by funding from Lloyd, reports Insider Media.

The Times reports that Costa has managed to wake up and smell the coffee saying that the company has made a notable turnaround in its performance after several difficult years following Coca-Cola’s £3.9bn purchase of the chain in 2019. Coca Cola subsequently tried to sell the business, reportedly at a large loss, but did not find buyers at an acceptable price...

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DP POLAND – H1 RESULTS:

DPP reports Group System Sales of £34.8m, up 17.5% YoY on a constant‑currency basis (and up 20.6% on a reported basis). Group revenue is £30.7m, up 7.1%. Trading EBITDA is up by 62.1% at £2.8m and group EBITDA is some 24.3% higher at £3.2m. The company announces an overall profit for the period of £66k compared to a loss of £457k in the prior year.

Trading highlights:

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HOLIDAYS & LEISURE TRAVEL:

EES. Nine EU countries including Greece, Italy and Portugal have been given permission to delay the full implementation of the new biometric border checks, reports The Times.

River cruises: Riviera Travel has resumed its Rhine and Danube cruise sales after having suspended them earlier in the summer due to low water levels and restricted travel, reports the TTG.

The FT comments on Club Med saying that the company, which is owned by Fosun International and which is likely to list its shares separately later this year, is benefiting from the move to full-board holidays.

OTHER LEISURE:

Plans to operate padel courts at the Yeadon Cricket Club in Leeds have been knocked back due to the potential impact on the Green Belt.

Yacht sales companies Sunseeker London Limited and Sunseeker Poole Limited are reported to have been sold to Sunseeker International via a pre-packaged administration sale.

FINANCE & MARKETS:

Christine Lagarde has said that Europe must develop its own AI technology or run the risk of being cut off by the US or China.

Sterling mixed at €1.1685 and $1.3452. Oil up fractionally at $107.47. UK 10 year gilt yield up 4 basis points at 5.40%. World markets mixed to lower & London set to open down around 20 points as at 6.30am.

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