Another Big High Street Chain Braces for Widespread Restaurant Closures

Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner brace for widespread closures

Mid-century inspired Ed’s Easy Diner and “world kitchen” Giraffe are set to shut 27 of their 87 combined sites as part of a Company Voluntary Arrangement, it was announced today. The restaurants were acquired by Boparan Restaurant Group [BRG] from Tesco in 2016 in two deals valued at around £23 million. Earlier this month it appointed KPMG to oversee restructuring of the two. “The combination of increasing costs and over-supply of restaurants in the sector and a softening of consumer demand have all contributed to the challenges both these brands face,” BRG’s chief executive Tom Crowley said. [Mirror]

On The Bab moves to Soho — and Paris

Korean street food specialist On The Bab has shut its “express-style” Marylebone Lane site ahead of a relocation to Soho. The new opening, which will be larger and offer eat-in as well as takeaway, will open later this month, replacing Lee’s Mee Market. Founder Linda Lee is also opening a Paris outpost, on rue Thérèse in the 1st arrondissement, in May.

Blacklock trials pie and mash for ‘Worker’s Lunch’

Blacklock Shoreditch, the newest member of the three-strong meat-focused family (purveyor of one of London’s best Sunday roasts), is now riffing on its neighbourhood’s culinary heritage. As well as steak, its new ‘The Worker’s Lunch’ offering will feature riffs on the area’s culinary traditions, with a bone marrow-enriched ‘East End Pie & Mash’ and a salt beef sandwich.

Grind crowdfunds new central London sites

Highly Instagrammable coffee, bar and restaurant group Grind is returning to crowdfunding facilitator Crowdcube to support its next wave of central London openings. Previously it raised £1.3 million on the platform in 2015, and £2.1 million in 2017. [Big Hospitality]

Pizza Hut contemplates linking up with Deliveroo

Pizza Hut has announced that it is exploring the possibility or partnering with Deliveroo in areas where it has no existing delivery network. Diners will still have to leave the house to take advantage of the all-you-can-eat salad offer. [Big Hospitality]