NRB Top 50 power list 2024 revealed

The Gilpin hotel in Windermere and Kenny Atkinson’s two Newcastle restaurants are among the new additions to the Kuits NRB Top Fifty Power List for 2024.

The list is selected by a panel of expert judges and is designed to represent the best hospitality operators in the north of England.

Its latest edition was announced at the Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) show in Manchester on Tuesday.

Kenny and Abbie Atkinson received a special achievement trophy for their Michelin-starred House of Tides and Solstice restaurants, with the pair described as “trailblazers” for the region.

There was also a special award for brothers Ben and Matthew Jones (pictured below), who founded the Roxy Leisure ‘booze and ball games’ group in Leeds in 2013 and have since expanded it to 18 sites nationwide.

The pair also created the Concept Taverns portfolio, which includes 12 craft beer bars across Yorkshire, in 2018. Eight new sites across the business opened in the last year and the group launched the King Pins bowling alley brand.

Matthew Jones, chief executive at Roxy Leisure, said: “We are thrilled to be recognised for this award, significantly it marks 20 years in business this year across multiple brands including the hugely successful Roxy Leisure.”

Kenny Atkinson said he and Abbie were “extremely proud and overwhelmed” to receive the award.

“It's been an immensely challenging period for hospitality as a whole, but I think the north have demonstrated incredible tenacity, resilience and creativity to showcase and grow their amazing businesses but to showcase the amazing talent within them,” he said.

Other new additions to the list included Manchester bar group Schofield Brothers and the Rockingham Group, which runs seven hospitality venues in Sheffield.

Chef Andrew Pern’s the Star at Harome and the Star Inn the City in York restaurants both returned to the list for 2024.

Siobhan Thompson, event manager for NRB 2024, said: “The current climate of the industry makes this list even more pertinent, showcasing the resilience of Northern hospitality during challenging times for the sector.

“From independent breweries through to Michelin-starred establishments, each of the fifty have continued to pivot and evolve through the well documented challenges to the industry, and we’re excited to see what they go on to achieve for the rest of the year.”

The full list in alphabetical order is as follows:

21 Hospitality Group

A Very Inc. (The Firehouse/Ramona)

Arc Inspirations

Archies

Bowland Inns & Hotels

Bundobust

By The River Brew Co

Camerons Brewery

Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars

Common & Co

Dabangg

Daniel Thwaites

Elite Bistros

Fat Hippo

Frederic Robinson

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House (New entry)

GSG Hospitality

Gusto Italian

Higher Ground

House of Tides / Solstice by Kenny Atkinson (New entry & Special Achievement Winner)

Inn Collection Group

JW Lees

Living Ventures

Madre

Mission Mars

Moor Hall Restaurants with Rooms

Mowgli Street Food

New World Trading Company

North

Northcote

NQ64

Ossett Brewery Pub Company

Pivovar Ltd

QVO Hospitality

Revolution Bars Group

Rockingham Group, Kelham Island Brewery & Leah's Yard (New entry)

Roxy Leisure Group & Concept Taverns (Special achievement Winner)

San Carlo Group

Schofield Brothers (New entry)

Seven Bro7hers (New entry)

Super Friendz

The Alchemist

The Liars Club Group

The Old Stamp House

The Star Inn At Harome/ The Star Inn The City/ York Minster Refectory (Returning)

The Tommy Banks Group

Tokyo Industries

Umbel Restaurant Group

Vaulkhard Group

Zanna Hospitality Group