- Chef and restaurateur Tommy Banks has launched a new ‘pub-focused’ hospitality group in partnership with his existing business partner Matthew Lockwood, his brother James Banks and businessman Neil Armstrong. Set to open its doors later this summer, Jeopardy Hospitality’s first project will be the General Tarleton, an 18th century coaching inn in Knaresborough about 10 minutes from Harrogate in North Yorkshire. Jeopardy Hospitality says it ‘aims to breathe new life into cherished venues and bring a renewed sense of purpose and connection to communities across the UK’.
- Carousel co-founder Ed Templeton and actor Theo James are joining forces to open a restaurant dedicated to Roman comfort food. Launching in Highbury in London in late June, Lupa will be led in the kitchen by head chef Naz Hassan, previously head chef at Pidgin and Crispin, and will focus ‘on the beauty and simplicity of traditional Roman osterias with a distinct London flare’.
- The Restaurant Group (TRG) has announced the purchase of 10 freehold pubs from Oakman Group that it will bring under its Brunning & Price brand. The group, whose portfolio also includes the Wagamama and Barburrito chains, says it is committed to growing its Brunning & Price pubs business with the addition of the Oakman pubs increasing its estate from 79 to 89 sites. It adds that the pubs, six of which also offer bedrooms, are ‘an excellent geographical fit’ with the Brunning & Price estate.
- Chefs Brad Carter and Tom Brown have joined forces to open a restaurant together in King’s Cross. Carter, formerly of Birmingham restaurant Carters of Moseley, has partnered with the Pearly Queen and Tom Brown at The Capital chef to open Island, set inside the Chandelier Room at Mare Street Market Kings Cross. Opening in June, Island is Inspired by the friends’ shared memories of years of cooking together around the world and is described as an ‘easygoing, refined celebration of meat and seafood, rooted in the produce of the British Isles’. The restaurant will sit alongside a private cocktail lounge on the mezzanine floor at Mare Street Market Kings Cross.
- Contemporary-styled greasy spoon Norman’s Cafe in Archway, north London, is to close its doors early next month after five years trading. Founders Elliott Kaye and Richie Hayes confirmed in an Instagram post that Norman’s last service will be on Sunday 8 June with the cafe operating a walk ins-only policy up to its closure.