Jamie Sherlock

Dishoom started in 2010 with one restaurant. Now, they've secured their first private equity investment with a valuation of £300M 🍛💰 The Thakrar brothers have built something seriously impressive - no wonder L Catterton (backed by LVMH) want to get involved: → 12 UK restaurants from that single original location → Pre-tax profits jumped from £4.7M to £7.4M last year → Sales exceeded £100M for the first time → Hired nearly 300 new staff to support expansion And following a successful New York pop-up last summer, the US expansion is impending. Their first location is set to open in 2026. The sector has been brutal for most operators, but Dishoom has managed to thrive by focusing on authentic experiences and proper hospitality. And they're not just expanding restaurants, either. They're testing overnight rooms in Notting Hill as a potential hotel concept - going down the Nobu route with smart diversification beyond their core business. The founding team is staying to lead the business, which shows L Catterton understands you don't mess with a winning formula. From one restaurant to £300M valuation in 14 years. En route to becoming a proper hospitality empire 🔥

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HOT OFF THE PRESS Taylor Lynn Corporation has been Acquired by Springbank Directors, Marking a New Chapter for Both Industry Leaders Manchester, UK – In a landmark move for the UK events industry, Liz Taylor, founder and CEO of leading event management firm Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC), has announced her decision to step down following the acquisition of the company by Anna-Liisa Evans and Paul Gilmore, directors of the acclaimed floral design and event décor company Springbank. This strategic acquisition brings together two of the industry’s most creative forces under the TLC brand while maintaining the distinct identity and independence of both companies. Founded in 1995, TLC has become synonymous with exceptional event experiences. Liz Taylor, who became sole owner in 2008, has enjoyed a long-standing creative partnership with Anna-Liisa Evans, making this transition a natural evolution for both businesses. As part of the acquisition, Paul Gilmore will take on the role of CEO of TLC, guiding the company through its next chapter. TLC operations will move to Springbank’s headquarters in Cheshire, although both brands will continue to operate as separate entities. “This is a seamless transition,” said Gilmore. “Together, we’re combining decades of experience and creativity to offer an unmatched platform for event innovation and delivery.” The acquisition also represents a full-circle moment: Dianne Lynn, Liz Taylor’s former TLC business partner, previously owned Springbank until it was sold to Anna-Liisa Evans in 2004. The two businesses have a rich history of collaboration, and this move renews that legacy. “Liz has built a global reputation for excellence in events,” added Evans. “We’re honoured to build on that legacy and lead TLC into an exciting new future.” Liz Taylor expressed her full confidence in the new leadership: “The synergy between Anna-Liisa and me has always been creatively electric. With Paul at the helm, TLC is in excellent hands for its next chapter. I’ll now focus on my consultancy business while remaining available to support when required.” This exciting acquisition marks the beginning of a new era, blending TLC’s iconic presence in the event sector with Springbank’s signature creative flair — setting new standards in event design, innovation, and execution. #aquisition #eventplanners #weddingplanners #corporateevents #pressrelease

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BREAKING NEWS Prezzo Italian swaps discounts for loyalty. James Brown says it will phase out discounting over the next three years. (Propel Info) Its new Club Prezzo app is designed to replace the cycle of margin erosion. Loyalty, if done right , gets guests to come back, spend more, and feel valued. Is loyalty a better lever than discounting? Digby+Fox Hospitality

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Whether you follow the TV series or not, there is no escaping the impact #Outlander has had on Scottish tourism. Since it was first broadcast in 2014, the series, based on the books by Diana Gabaldon, has been the catalyst for a boom in visits from North American and European markets. Our insight report, The Outlander Effect, has been revamped and updated to examine the impact of the hit literary and TV franchise, and the wider implications of screen tourism on Scotland. It reveals: 💡 Those who are inspired by film, TV and literature are more likely to visit a historical building, such as a castle (78%), cathedral (65%) or stately home (62%), whilst on their trip (Visitor Scotland Survey, VisitScotland). 💡 Many filming locations have seen visits more than double over the past ten years. Blackness Castle, which appeared in the first season, has seen a 367% increase in visitors between 2014 and 2024. 💡 Outlander filming locations and a 12-day Outlander Itinerary are the most popular Outlander pages on visitscotland.com, with more than 55,000 pages view over 12 months. Most users came from the UK, USA, Australia and Canada. Read the full report (see link in comments)

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NEOS Hospitality, the bar and nightclub operator, has told Propel its trading levels in the first half of 2025 have been “ahead of expectations”, as it looks set to build on its growth trajectory with a new site in Brighton. The business has acquired the former Walkabout site in West Street in a £1.5m investment, marking its second acquisition of 2025. 👉 For the full version of this story and to read it first sign up to the Propel email newsletter for free: https://lnkd.in/eyy_THzR

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The events industry contributes £11.6bn of output, supports 126,300 jobs and contributes about £6bn to UK GDP. Yet the UK government lags far behind our peers in supporting events in the UK. Details of the AEO Association of Event Organisers report here Anna Golden Chris Skeith OBE UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry https://lnkd.in/enGAayG2

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Always enjoy reading the headlines of the Lumina Intelligence Reports. They've just released the 'UK QSR Market 2025: Trends, Growth & Consumer Shifts'. A couple of bits that caught my attention and very relevant to Slerp and what we are solving for our customers. - Burger chains, bakery-led operators and fried chicken formats are among the top performers, boosted by strong meal deal structures and digital ordering functionality. Meanwhile, the rise of hybrid models – combining dine-in, takeaway and delivery – continues to shape how brands scale and serve customers. - Digital transformation remains a defining force, according to our quick service restaurant industry analysis, with operators embracing technology to meet rising consumer expectations and streamline operations. Mobile ordering, self-service kiosks, and loyalty apps are now standard in leading QSR chains, driving efficiency while allowing for personalisation and data capture. - Franchise-led QSRs are also investing in delivery integration, offering direct ordering through their own platforms while maintaining partnerships with aggregators to maximise reach. This dual strategy ensures wider coverage while maintaining control over margin and customer experience. See more from the report here: https://lnkd.in/embh48zk

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