Hospitality


BrewDog Sold For £33m

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Hospitality News Retail What Does Going Into Administration Mean?

Update 27th March Tilray Brands from the US has bought the firm for £33m it has been reported.  The company owed a staggering £550m to its creditors it has been revealed by the administrators official report. ___________ BrewDog, the Scottish craft brewer best known for brands such as Punk IPA, has confirmed it has appointed AlixPartners to run a “structured and competitive” process to assess the business’s next phase of investment. This move that has fuelled speculation the company could be sold, or potentially broken up into separate parts. In a statement, BrewDog said the decision follows “a year of decisive action in 2025” focused on cost control and operating efficiencies, describing the appointment as a “deliberate and disciplined step” aimed at strengthening the long-term future of the brand and its operations. The company also stressed that bars and breweries will continue to operate as normal while options are evaluated. AlixPartners is widely recognised for its work in, turnaround and restructuring.  It is often engaged by businesses that are under pressure or looking to make significant changes quickly. Its reported that the process could explore multiple outcomes, from attracting fresh investment to an outright sale, with some commentary suggesting bidders may be interested in different elements of the group (for example, the brewing/brands side and the bar estate) if a break-up delivers better value than a single transaction. For customers and employees, BrewDog’s message is reassurance: day-to-day operations continue and “no decisions have been made”. For stakeholders, the key point is that this is now a structured process rather than informal market soundings — meaning the company is likely to move at pace to test appetite and options. This announcement is another sign of how hard the hospitality markets remain, with input costs, wage pressures and cautious spending continuing to squeeze margins across the sector. If your business is facing similar pressures and you are worried about trading or paying creditors then it is vital to act early.  This makes any sudden issues more manageable.

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BrewDog Sold For £33m

Nottingham Belfry Hotel and Spa Goes Into Administration

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Hospitality What Does Going Into Administration Mean?

The Nottingham Belfry Hotel and Spa has entered administration, with Anthony Simmons and Ian Corfield of FRP Advisory appointed as joint administrators.The hotel remains open and continues to trade while the administration process is ongoing. All existing guest bookings and event reservations will be honoured, providing reassurance to customers with forthcoming stays or functions.All employees have been retained at this stage. Around 120 staff were employed at the end of 2024, and the preservation of jobs will be a key consideration as the process progresses.The administrators are actively seeking a buyer for the business, with the aim of securing a sale that allows the hotel to continue operating as a going concern and protects employment in the longer term.The disposal process is being managed by Christie & Co, a specialist commercial property agent. A deadline of 26 January 2026 has reportedly been set for interested parties to submit offers, indicating that the sale process is moving forward at pace.The administrators have described the hotel as having a strong reputation and a well-established presence in the regional hospitality market. The site benefits from extensive accommodation and a full spa facility, and continues to receive positive customer feedback, including high review ratings for service, facilities and staff.This administration follows a number of high-profile insolvencies across the UK hospitality and leisure sectors. Rising costs, changing consumer behaviour and wider economic pressures continue to impact businesses across the industry, even those with strong brands and loyal customer bases.

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Nottingham Belfry Hotel and Spa Goes Into Administration

Leon Exits Administration Via A CVA

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Hospitality

Update 1st June 2026has exited administration after creditors, including HMRC, unanimously backed a CVA that allows the John Vincent-led fast food chain to continue with 43 restaurants, following a restructuring that included a £2.5 million founder injection and a reduction of loss-making sites.--------------------------------------------------Leon, the fast food chain, has appointed administrators at Quantuma  stating that its main priority is to 'shut loss-making restaurants'.It was just earlier in May that Quantuma were reported to be drafted in to help the chain secure rent cuts from landlords.Mr Vincent bought back the chain from Asda last month for a reported £30m.  He is now planning to turn it around.  Mr Vincent stated, "If you look at the performance of LEON's peers, you will see that everyone is facing challenges – companies are reporting significant losses due to working patterns and increasingly unsustainable taxes."​The company, which has gone on to become a key player in the healthy fast-food sector, was set up in 2004 by Mr Dimbleby, John Vincent and chef, Allegra McEvedy. The menu is inspired from the founders; Mediterranean roots- mixing its flavours, variety and natural healthiness.It operates from more than 44 sites across the UK and has 22 franchisesIt has faced difficulty, as have many other players in the fast-food market, particularly due to the slump in commuter numbers, which were a key target consumer group.It is understood that the chain will try to exit the administration using a CVA.

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Leon Exits Administration Via A CVA

Wild Beer Co Goes Into Administration

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Hospitality News Retail What Does Going Into Administration Mean?

11 January 2023Wild Beer Co has been rescued from administration in a deal with the Kent-based brewery, Curious.Curious agreed to add Wild Beer Co to its specialist portfolio of premium beers.The acquisition will double the size of the existing Curious operation, based at Ashford, which has a current production capacity of five million pints per year and potential to expand upwards of 15 million pints per year.The Grocer discuss further.8 December 2022After operating for ten years, the Somerset-based brewery that owns a bar in Bristol announced on Monday that it was closing.A statement posted on social media read: "It is with heavy hearts that we regret to inform you that as of today we have entered into a period of administration.''"We would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and love for our brand. It has been a wild ten years and we are heartbroken to be in this position. We could see the potential for Wild Beer and we had ambitions to increase sales and brand exposure. We must sadly report that the company has been facing a number of adverse trading conditions including; Covid, the loss of export sales, spiralling production costs, damaging inflation, and an increase in interest rates that have all affected sales.These factors along with the recent cost of living crisis have impacted the company's ability to succeed."One of the success stories of the craft beer revolution was the 2012 founding of Wild Beer Co.It previously operated a bar in Cheltenham, which closed down in 2019. The business attributed the closure to an increase in competition in the area.Undebt administrators are looking for a potential bidder to buy the company. The group's pub is still open for business as usual at Bristol's Wapping Wharf.

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Wild Beer Co Goes Into Administration

Insolvency advice for Pubs, Bars, Restaurants and Hotels

in Hospitality

My public house is under pressure  I can't pay HMRC or the business rates. How can I keep my pub open? We know that the licensed trade and those that work within it have lost a lot of money due to the pandemic and are struggling to make it back.  Please see this page for more information on help for business generally.We have a great deal of experience helping businesses in the hospitality trade, and others within the licensed trade rescue their businesses.We also have a page that helps employers deal with employees in this situation.We have brought out our guide in preparation for tough times ahead for those in the hospitality trade.Read our guide: rescue-pub-or-hotelThe guide covers: Is my pub or hotel company insolvent? How can a pub get a time to pay deal with HMRC for PAYE and VAT? What is a Company Voluntary Arrangement and why is it a great rescue tool How to cut costs in your business How to deal with a winding up petition from HMRCAnd more!

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Insolvency advice for Pubs, Bars, Restaurants and Hotels

Caffe Nero CVA Challenge Fails

in Hospitality News What is a CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement)?

01 October 2021The High Court has dismissed an application by a landlord creditor to overturn a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) implemented by coffee shop chain Caffé Nero. The CVA, previously approved by its creditors, compromised rent arrears and reduced future rents for the company's premises. The decision follows a series of previous high-profile challenges to retail and leisure CVAs.22 July 2021Young, one of the Caffe Nero's landlords has challenged the CVA in court.Marking the start of a four-day trial, the company said that Young, has no right to bring the challenge due to an arrangement he has with EG Group Ltd. EG is run by Mohsin and Zuber Issa, billionaire brothers who launched a takeover bid for Nero on the eve of the CVA vote.04 January 2021Some landlords, including Lord Sugar, are seeking to challenge Caffe Nero's CVA. The chain had proposed landlords receive 30p for every £1 of rent they are owed, and was seeking to move most stores to a turnover-rent based model. If there are any closures these are expected to be minimal.13 November 2020Last night coffee chain, Caffe Nero put itself into a company voluntary arrangement.Founder, Gerry Ford, explained that this was due to the second lockdown which has caused the chain to suffer, from limits to socialising, less shoppers in town centres and workers being told to work from home.KPMG are working with the company on this insolvency procedure. The CVA needs to be backed by landlords and creditors to be successful.The hope is that from doing this, rent negotiations can be made with landlords, so costs can be reduced and the company can be in a better position to rebuild itself post-pandemic.The chain employs more than 6,000 people across its 800 UK stores. Any job losses or store closures are unknown as of yet.6 November 2020A group of Lenders to Caffe Nero have been reported to of drafted in FTI Consulting.The financial advisers have been brought in by Alcentra and Partners Group, in preparation for the launch of a restructuring deal, involving a CVA, which could result in permanent store closures and job losses.23 October 2020Caffe Nero becomes the latest big name to look into a company voluntary arrangement.The insolvency mechanism is being considered since the coffee shop operator has been hit from coronavirus, alike many other high street hospitality businesses. It needs to restructure its financial liabilities, reduce its rent bill and exit loss making outlets.Details concerning the amount of shop closures or job losses are so far unclear.KPMG are working with Caffe Nero on its options.As it stands current, it operates from 660 UK stores, of which more than 90% have opened since the UK-wide lockdown ended in June and employs 5,000 staff.

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Caffe Nero CVA Challenge Fails

Options for an Insolvent Pub

in Hospitality

See below some advice given on our online chat regarding an insolvent pub  I hope I was able to give you some options today.We discussed the fact that the company has two pubs in [town], one we will call “large pub” the other “small pub”. Both are tenanted pubs with Company 2.The large pub tenancy ends in May, you need to provide 6 months notice and have yet to do so. The small pub is reasonably profitable and you wish to retain this if possible. The company is insolvent and has tax liabilities it cannot meet. You are not taking salary and are struggling to survive financially as a result.We discussed Option A; close the large pub, make employees redundant and hand the keys back to Company 2, this will cause Company 2 to look at the issues and it may decided to end the lease/tenancy of the small pub as a result. Or it may not. This action would straight away cut costs.Option B is to place the company into creditors voluntary liquidation. This would end both leases/tenancy agreements when the liquidator is appointed by creditors. But it also writes off the debts.Then you would seek to retain the small pub under a new agreement as a sole trader. Do NOT trade as a partnership in case this fails in future, this could lead to BOTH of you being made bankrupt as partners. So liquidation would bring all the debts and the business to an end.The employees would get paid redundancy by the RPO – redundancy payments office which is a government safety net. 

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Options for an Insolvent Pub

Prezzo’s CVA strategy appears to be working

in Hospitality News What is a CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement)?

I recently read an article in The Caterer , indicating that Prezzo is doing the right thing regarding its CVA being approved by its creditors - Their losses have been halved. It left me thinking, what should directors do once a CVA has been approved?  Well, quite frankly, they should follow Prezzo's example.  Yes, Prezzo is a big chain of restaurants but, what the directors are doing, in reality, any director can do in some form or another.  So, what is it that is being done?  In my view there are 3 fundamental things:Change Change ChangeOk, that is a bit flippant but lets look at it more closely.After the CVA was agreed Prezzo changed the management team by appointing Executive Chairwoman, Karen Jones. In small businesses it may not be that easy to change in this way, but management really should consider changing their structure.  Perhaps responsiblities could change, maybe someone should be let go or even promoted? Change the strategy or focus on fundamentals. Karen Jones said the company was now focused on ensuring customers left wanting to return after a period where a “strategy of new openings and new concepts distracted from its mission of hospitality”.  In hindsight that seems so obvious, a returning customer is worth so much more as you do not have to spend loads of money to get them back. Change your financial controls. The company's directors will need advance notice of any problems and the rigour of the process means that they must have good management information.  Poor financial records is the principal reason that companies become insolvent.Investing in the future is the next big thing.  Finding new money to carry out change can be a challenge.  Debt for equity swaps can work in larger businesses where the lenders see an opportunity down the road. Debt relief can increase working capital by improving cashflow.  In smaller businesses, creditors like to see that directors and stakeholders are putting money in.  So, maybe sell some assets or try to raise other sources of finance.  Lenders will lend to companies in a CVA as long as they are happy that the changes mentioned above are happening and any forecast is realistic. If you want to know how we can help businesses then give us a call on  0800 970539

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Prezzo’s CVA strategy appears to be working

Dream Lodge Goes Into Administration

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Hospitality News What Does Going Into Administration Mean?

Dream Lodge, which operates holiday parks across East Anglia and other areas has gone into administration.  The operator parks were based in Lazy Otter Meadows in Ely, Blosson Hill Park in Devon, The Sanctuary in Berkshire and Woodlands Park in East Sussex.In a statement the partners at Deloitte, Richard Hawes and Rob Harding said that The Dream Lodge Group was impacted by a “period of financial pressure”.It added: “Given the immediate funding constraints and seasonality of the business, it has been necessary to make 80 out of the 121 employees redundant, with immediate effect.”The holiday parks were more luxurious than most and promised, Hot Spas, walk in wardrobes, heated swimming pools etc.  Investors were encouraged by being promised access to the lodges and a guaranteed rental return.  Things started to go awry when payments to investors didn't arrive.  Lodges were available for investments between £50k and £150k.Unfortunately, these investors are unlikely to recoup much money as they are in effect unsecured.  Lenders will have security and are more likely to get something back on the sale of the park's assets.

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Dream Lodge Goes Into Administration