HSW, CCH, Pizza Hut, MacDonald Hotels, BGF, site numbers & other:

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

Why will the dog drink from a muddy puddle or a dirty bucket but not drink perfectly clean water from her bowl if it’s got a leaf in it?

I mean where’s the logic?

Certainly, there are probably more calories, some rather than none, in a puddle containing mosquito larvae and green slime than there are in clean water, but aren’t there side effects?

Well, maybe.

But we don’t seem to see them suggesting that, in addition to being an idiot, the dog has a cast iron guts and the inclination to ingest whatever is available whenever it is, and then let her stomach decide which direction the food or drink will travel in thereafter.

Anyway, pleasant thought.

On to the news:

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PUBS & RESTAURANTS:

Site numbers:

CGA’s latest Hospitality Market Monitor has reported that the number of licensed premises in Britain has fallen by 0.6% in the last year ‘despite modest growth in the third quarter of 2025’. It says that the country had 99,296 licensed venues at September 2025, down some 572 (on a net basis) from the figure 12 months ago…

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Footfall:

Lumina Intelligence reports that participation in the out-home-market is growing by +1ppt year-on-year, with 58% of consumers eating or drinking out in an average week. It says that this was boosted by the warm and sunny weather over spring and summer and some consumers feeling better off….

Other news:

Access to finance. The British Growth Fund, which has financed a number of fast-growing operators within the leisure & hospitality sector, is reported to be exploring its first external fundraise of up to £500m in order to grow its investor base beyond Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest, who founded the company in 2011. CEO Andy Gregory says that the group plans to invest more than £3 billion over the next five years….

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Modest government help. The government reports that ‘rural pubs across the UK will benefit from new government funding to help them provide extra services for local communities.’ It adds that projects, which will include creating community cafes, village stores, and play areas ‘have been identified by Pub is The Hub – a non-profit organisation supporting local pubs to diversify their services. Their Social Value Report spotlit more than 40 pub projects currently stuck in limbo due to a lack of funding….’

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Whisky duty. The SWA has called on the government to put in place a multi-year freeze on spirits duty in next month’s Budget. It says that two-year cumulative duty rises have amounted to 14% and mean that the paid on a bottle of Scotch is now over £12 per bottle….

COMPANY NEWS:

Coca-Cola HBC has this morning announced the acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, ‘bringing together two leading bottlers in Africa to drive sustainable, profitable growth.’ The combined company will create ‘the second largest Coca-Cola bottling partner by volume globally, with leading market positions across Africa and Europe.’ The company announces that it has entered into a definitive sale and purchase agreement to acquire a 75% shareholding from The Coca-Cola Company and Gutsche Family Investments for a combined purchase price of US$2.6 billion, ‘implying an equity value for 100% of CCBA of US$3.4 billion. CCH says ‘the Acquisition is being funded through a new bridge financing facility to cover the cash consideration and Coca-Cola HBC shares issued to GFI representing 5.47% of Coca-Cola HBC’s enlarged issued and outstanding share capital….’

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Pizza Hut UK. DC London Pie, which operated as UK master-franchisee for the YUM-Brands-owned Pizza Hut business, yesterday underwent a pre-pack administration that will see some 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites close with the loss of over 1,200 jobs. The business was purchased by DC London Pie from insolvency less than a year ago. The deal saw ultimate brand-owner YUM step in and take 64 sites and secure the future for 1,276 staff…

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Funbox Entertainment is to shortly unveil its brand-new Urban Fun concept in Kingston upon Thames. The unite has benefited from a £4 million investment and will deliver ‘a multi-experiential, cashless social playground designed for all ages, a first-of-its-kind venue where guests can eat, drink, play and win under one roof. The site features an extensive line-up of attractions including Brunswick duck-pin bowling, AR darts, 9-hole themed mini golf, Subsoccer football, axe throwing, curling lanes, American pool, and Neo shuffleboard.’

Roberts Bakery has been saved from administration as a private investment firm has injected an undisclosed sum into the business. The deal has been led by Ranjit Singh Boparan’s investment firm Boparan Private Office….

Molson Coors Beverage Company has announced a corporate restructuring plan that is ‘designed to create a leaner, more agile Americas organization while advancing its ability to reinvest in the business and position the company for future growth.’ Some 400 jobs will be cut across the Americas business by the end of December 2025.

The FT has reported plant-based milk company Oatly’s comments on current tough trading. It reports that sales of plant-based milk in the US declined by 5 per cent to $2.8bn in 2024, while dairy milk sales rose by 1 per cent.

Drinks Business reports that Jose Cuervo-owner Becle has seen its shares surge after reporting robust sales and profit growth in the latest quarter. The company is betting on premium Tequila and a stabilising US market to sustain momentum.

Bloomberg reports that Coca-Cola is weighing up an IPO of its Indian bottling unit, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages. Any such deal could value the company at around $1 billion.

HOLIDAYS & LEISURE TRAVEL:

Hostelworld Group plc has announced the acquisition of travel platform OccasionGenius, which is ‘a US-based B2B event discovery platform, for a total cash consideration of $12.0 million.’ It says the target company ‘empowers businesses to inspire their audiences with a global event dataset delivered via API, comprising a rich, city-by-city catalogue of local ‘Things to Do’ and a unique global dataset of ‘travel worthy’ events that inspire travellers to book trips….’

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MacDonald Hotels Limited has reported full year numbers for the 52 weeks to 26 September 2024 to Companies’ House saying that revenue slipped by 1.3% to £127.2m and pre-exceptional operating profit was 7.3% lower at £3.2m. Interest charges pushed the group to a pre-exceptional loss of £1.3m against a profit at the same stage of £1.2m in the prior year. Exceptional costs relating to a legal action against the Bank of Scotland, which MacDonald Hotels lost. Additional charges of £22.9m in FY24 and £4.7m in FY23 have been provided in the accounts. The loss before tax but after the above charges was £24.2m in FY24 (FY23: loss £3.6m)….

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OTHER LEISURE:

Evoke has announced that Lord Jon Mendelsohn ‘has informed the Board of his decision to step down as Chair and Non-Executive Director with immediate effect.’ It further announces that ‘Mark Summerfield has been appointed as the permanent Non-Executive Chair of the Board with immediate effect….’

Fraser Capital Management, which runs the Bingo 3000 chain of bingo halls, has reported results for the year to 31 March 2025 to Companies’ House saying that revenue rose by 9.5% to £81.1m and operating profit was up by 19.9% at £15.3m. The company has interest income and the PBT was up by 19.1% at £15.8m. Fraser paid a £2m dividend to its shareholders from FY25 profits (FY24: nil)…

FINANCE & MARKETS:

Sterling slightly lower at $1.3390 and €1.1511. Oil down a shade at $61.00. UK 10 year gilt yield down 1 basis point at 4.53%. World markets better yesterday and London set to open up around 24 points as at 6.30am.

RETAIL WITH NICK BUBB:

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