- Michelin has announced 37 new Bib Gourmand restaurants ahead of its ceremony in Dublin next week. Thirteen are in England, including Cantaloupe in Stockport, Erst in Manchester, Shwen Shwen in Sevenoaks and Gina in Chingford. London accounts for a further 12, among them Lai Rai in Peckham, Akara in Borough Market, Singburi in Shoreditch and Goodbye Horses in Islington. Scotland gained four new entries, including Sebb’s in Glasgow and Mara in Aberdeen, while two restaurants in Wales were recognised alongside one in Northern Ireland and four in the Republic of Ireland. The Channel Islands saw a single addition: Alba in St Peter Port, Guernsey. There are now 187 Bib Gourmands listed in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland.
- Also this week the Beckford Group acquired the Bradley Hare in Wiltshire. Located in Maiden Bradley village, the pub with rooms will open later this month following a refurbishment. The updated space will feature a more defined bar and dining room alongside a library-style snug and garden areas, while the former skittle alley has been converted into a guest sitting room also open to locals. Developed by chef Adam Bristow and led by head chef Jaek Kelly, the food offering will comprise seasonal British dishes such as beetroot soup, fish pie with haddock and baked cheesecake with blood orange.
- Ben and Lorcan Spiteri are returning to the London dining scene after taking over the former Ariadne’s Nectar pub on Latimer Road. Owned by Ben Andersen, the site is set to reopen as The Latimer next month. The building had previously been at the centre of a planning dispute over a proposed residential conversion, but according to a newsletter from the St Quintin and Woodlands Neighbourhood Forum, the Spiteris have now signed a 15-year lease. The newsletter also says the pub will be run “in association with other members of the family”.
- In a statement citing E-on and Rachel Reeves, Manchester restaurant and bar TNQ announced it would be closing after 22 years of operation. Owners Jobe Ferguson and Anthony Fielden blamed the “current climate” for making the restaurant “no longer a viable business”, revealing that its bills for the energy company E-on had reached £8,000. They added that the company is committed to paying staff what they are owed and is helping them find new roles within the industry. The statement went on to thank partners, suppliers, staff and customers before ending with a pointedly less gracious ‘thank you’ to E-on and Reeves.
- In brighter news, Chelsea seafood bar and fishmonger The Sea, The Sea will relocate to a larger site on Pavilion Road in the spring. Founded by Alex Hunter in 2019, the business will relaunch as a 40-cover bistro-style seafood restaurant alongside an expanded retail offer. Nick Marsden, who joined the business in 2024, will continue to lead the kitchen, having taken over from Leo Carreira. The new site will also include a 10-seat seafood bar in the evening and a 28-cover outdoor terrace.