Business
Jobs in Wales at risk as TGI Fridays UK operator enters administration
THE UK operator of TGI Fridays has entered administration, leaving the fate of 87 restaurants, including key locations in Wales, hanging in the balance. This move comes as Hostmore, which operates the brand in the UK, scrambles to sell its chain across the country.
In a recent development, administrators from Teneo have been appointed after plans to acquire the US-based parent chain fell through earlier this month. The collapse of these plans has cast a shadow over the future of the beloved American-inspired restaurant chain.
Among the affected branches are popular Welsh locations in Swansea, Cardiff and Newport. The staff now face uncertainty.
Hostmore has expressed hope in completing the sale of the UK restaurants by the end of September. This would not only keep the TGI Fridays brand alive on British high streets but also potentially save approximately 4,500 jobs across the UK. However, the company has cautioned that it does not expect to recover any significant value from the sale, indicating potential financial shortfalls for creditors and banks.
The uncertainty extends to whether a buyer will be found for the entire chain or only parts of it. This raises concerns about the potential closure of some of the 87 UK branches. TGI Fridays, which first opened in the UK in Birmingham in 1986, has become a familiar name in towns and cities nationwide.
Currently, the restaurants continue to operate as usual while the administration process unfolds. The collapse of the London-listed hospitality firm came after plans to merge with the US-based TGI Fridays Inc. for £177 million were abandoned. This merger would have created a larger entity remaining listed in London, but it was called off following a management change that would have prevented Hostmore from collecting royalties from the TGI Fridays brand.
Hostmore’s financial woes have been exacerbated by a 12% drop in sales this year compared to the previous period, attributed to unusually warm weather and weak consumer spending. The company’s share price plummeted by more than 90% following the announcement, leading to its suspension from the London Stock Exchange.
Hostmore’s brief tenure as a public company has been fraught with difficulties since its debut in November 2021. Its share price, which started at 147p, has suffered a dramatic decline due to profit warnings, mounting debts, and underperforming restaurants.
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, described the collapse of Hostmore’s expansion plan as a significant blow, suggesting little to no value left for shareholders. He noted that the US acquisition would have significantly increased Hostmore’s scale and given it a major presence in America, freeing it from an existing restrictive franchise deal.
Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, highlighted the potential for the brand’s survival, citing its continued operation in over 50 countries and loyal customer base. However, she suggested that a new owner might need to significantly reduce the number of UK outlets, focusing on successful locations like London’s Leicester Square.
The story of TGI Fridays began in New York in 1965, founded by Alan Stillman. It became a sensation known for its unique “Thank God It’s Friday” ethos and flair bartending. The brand expanded to the UK in the mid-1980s, bringing its Americana-inspired décor and menu to a new audience.
As the administration process continues, the full list of UK outlets at risk of closure includes:
- Aberdeen Beach
- Aberdeen Union Square
- Ashton-under-Lyne
- Barnsley
- Basildon
- Birmingham
- Birmingham NEC
- Bluewater
- Bolton
- Bournemouth
- Bracknell
- Braehead
- Braintree
- Brighton Marina
- Cabot Circus
- Castleford
- Cheadle
- Chelmsford
- Cheltenham
- Cheshire Oaks
- Coventry
- Crawley
- Cribbs Causeway
- Croydon
- Derby
- Doncaster
- Durham
- Edinburgh
- Enfield
- Fareham
- Fort Kinnaird
- Gateshead
- Glasgow Buchanan Street
- Glasgow Fort
- Gloucester Quays
- Halifax
- High Wycombe
- Jersey
- Lakeside Quay
- Lakeside Retail Park
- Leeds Junction 27
- Leeds Wellington Bridge Street
- Leeds White Rose
- Leicester
- Lincoln
- Liverpool One
- Liverpool Speke
- London Leicester Square
- London Stratford City
- London the O2
- Manchester Royal Exchange
- Meadowhall
- Metro Centre Gateshead
- Milton Keynes
- Milton Keynes Stadium
- Newcastle Eldon Square
- Newport Friars Walk
- Northampton
- Norwich
- Nottingham
- Prestwich
- Reading
- Romford
- Rushden Lakes
- Sale
- Sheffield
- Silverburn
- Solihull
- Southampton Retail Park
- Staines
- Stevenage
- Teesside
- Telford
- Trafford Centre
- Trinity Leeds
- Walsall
- Watford Central
- Watford North
- Wembley
- West Quay
The uncertainty surrounding TGI Fridays’ future in the UK has left many customers and employees anxious. While the brand has weathered many storms over the decades, it remains to be seen if it can survive this latest challenge and continue serving up its iconic American cuisine to British diners.
Business
Holyhead closure: Storm damage could delay reopening until March
HOLYHEAD port faces an extended closure following significant storm damage, with fears it may not reopen until March. The disruption has caused widespread consequences for trade, travel, and postal services across the Irish Sea.
The Terminal 3 berth, used by Irish Ferries, sustained extensive damage during Storm Darragh earlier this month. Drone footage revealed a ‘dolphin’ platform had fallen into the sea, exacerbating the situation and impacting the adjoining terminal used by Stena Line.
Currently, all sailings are suspended until January 15, though experts warn this date may be overly optimistic. Garrett Bridgeman, managing director of An Post, Ireland’s national postal service, said: “I don’t think January 15 looks like the date. If you look at the level of work that needs to be done and the safety checks required afterwards, February or March seems more realistic.”
Stena Line stated their priority remains resuming operations safely, while the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is conducting an inquiry into the incident. A spokesperson for MAIB confirmed inspectors are reviewing evidence to understand the circumstances that led to the damage.
The Welsh Government has implemented contingency plans, with additional sailings arranged from Wales and the Mersey area despite challenging weather conditions. Welsh Transport Minister Ken Skates said: “This is a challenge we have never faced before, but we’ll continue working with UK and Irish governments to support businesses and travellers.”
Increased pressure on Fishguard and Pembroke ports
With Holyhead out of action, Pembrokeshire’s ports—Fishguard and Pembroke Dock—are facing increased pressure to handle additional sailings. Stena Line and Irish Ferries have already announced extra services from these ports to help ease the disruption.
Irish Ferries has confirmed it will launch a new service from Fishguard, while Pembroke Dock is also experiencing heightened activity with extra crossings scheduled. Passengers and freight operators are urged to check ferry company websites for the latest updates.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates praised the efforts of ferry operators and local authorities in managing the surge in activity at Pembrokeshire’s ports. “Both Fishguard and Pembroke Dock are playing a crucial role in maintaining the flow of goods and passengers across the Irish Sea during this unprecedented disruption,” he said.
Local authorities and Transport for Wales are working to ensure traffic flows smoothly around these ports, with additional measures in place to minimise congestion and delays.
Meanwhile, the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has expressed growing frustration with the lack of clear communication from Holyhead Port authorities. IRHA President Ger Hyland said: “We need correct and true information with a definite timeline. The piecemeal updates have been unhelpful.”
Hyland highlighted the financial toll on hauliers, with some operators facing losses of up to €3,000 per vehicle weekly. He urged ferry companies to increase their efforts to ease the crisis and called on the Irish government to explore financial compensation for affected businesses.
The situation has been escalated to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with calls for direct intervention to expedite repairs and alternative arrangements. Minister of State James Lawless, who met with haulage industry leaders, acknowledged the urgent need for clarity and support.
With Pembrokeshire ports now under increased strain, stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation, awaiting updates from Stena Line in mid-January.
Business
Derelict Cilgerran house to be transformed into cafe
PLANS by a village shop owner to convert a house “in a state of disrepair” to a café to “improve the variety of community facilities” locally have been given the go-ahead.
Mrs Morris, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, sought permission from Pembrokeshire County Council to convert The Old Post House, High Street, Cilgerran, currently a four-bed dwelling, to a ground floor café, along with a first-floor flat.
The application received five letters of support, saying it would provide local jobs, support the community, promote Welsh and local food, and provide a local community hub, with three letters of objection, raising concerns about parking and traffic, and potential odours from the premises.
A supporting statement, through the agent, said: “The proposed site is currently a dwellinghouse, in current need of modernisations and renovations throughout. The site is under the same ownership as the neighbouring village stores Siop Y Pentre,” saying the proposal “can be read as an extension to the existing Siop Y Pentre”.
“Siop Y Pentre is a thriving local community village shop which acts as a village hub. The shop provides local residents with day-to-day necessities, with a focus on local, sustainable and minimal waste products,” the statement says, adding the dwelling it seeks to convert “is in disrepair and in need of internal works to make suitable for modern living”.
It went on to say: “The proposed café seeks to retain its focus on local and seasonal produce with minimal waste and would provide a welcomed opportunity for socialising, especially during the daytime. The café will also seek to employ local staff retaining a community feel throughout. As such, the principle of the café adjacent to the existing village store is considered acceptable. The site seeks to encourage a sustainable community, with development of an appropriate scale and nature.
“Further to this, the location of the development is within the settlement boundary and seeks to fulfil a need for day-time socialising environments currently lacking within Cilgerran.”
The application was conditionally approved by county planners.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
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