Yew Court
Scalby
A landmark and historic village mansion & grounds in Scalby, to be fully restored and run by Five Star Collection.
Qdos Entertainment Group
A family-owned investment and entertainment business with interest in hospitality, property and live entertainment.
About
A Legacy of Entertainment & Hospitality
Qdos Entertainment (Qdos) is a private family owned business based in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, owned by Nick and Sandra Thomas.
Between 1999 and 2021, Qdos became one of the largest entertainment groups in the UK. By 2019, what started as a small family business employed 1,800 staff across 21 sites. During 2020, having both turned 60, Nick & Sandra re-evaluated life and decided to sell their theatres chain HQ Theatres and their pantomimes business Qdos Pantomimes.
After taking stock for a couple of years, Nick & Sandra started looking for opportunities to expand their existing Five Star Collection hospitality business. They have since invested substantially in projects to enhance their portfolio of pubs, restaurants, rooms and luxury village houses.
Portfolio
Current & Recent Investments
A curated collection of hospitality and property ventures across the Yorkshire coast, each reflecting our commitment to quality, heritage and timeless design.
Yew Tree Cafe
Scalby
The much loved village café, reopened in July 2026 following a full re-imagination front and back of house.
Argyll Lodge
Scalby
An important 'blue plaque' village house; formerly the home of renowned orchestra leader, the violinist Max Jaffa.
Mayfield Cottage
Seamer
Five Star Collection's 17th holiday letting cottage.
Mayfield Hotel
Seamer
10 new build bedrooms, bringing the hotel's room stock to 26.
The Copper Horse
Seamer
A full refurbishment and extension to re-invent this renowned destination as a daytime/nighttime cafe bar and restaurant.
Founder
Nick Thomas MBE
Nick Thomas MBE is the founder and driving force behind Qdos Entertainment. Over his career in entertainment spanning four decades, he established himself as one of the most influential figures in British theatre, a reputation built on creative ambition, commercial acumen and an unwavering commitment to quality.
With Qdos Pantomimes, Nick and his key creatives transformed the landscape of British pantomime, elevating it into a major theatrical art form and a business of scale. Qdos became the world's largest pantomime producer, staging productions in the most prestigious theatres across the UK. The Qdos pantomimes at the London Palladium set new benchmarks for scale, spectacle and star-studded casting that continue to flourish. Nick won an Olivier Award, the highest honour in British theatre, for the 2017/18 Qdos production of Dick Whittington at the London Palladium.
Through his venues business HQ Theatres, Nick established a chain of 13 regional theatres, bringing world-class entertainment to communities nationwide. In 2019, Nick's contributions to entertainment and charity were recognised with an MBE presented at Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty the Queen.
Today, Nick channels his entrepreneurial skills into expanding the family's hospitality and property portfolio. Still based in Scarborough, he identifies and develops selected properties that combine heritage sensitivity with contemporary excellence, creating places of lasting character and distinction across the Yorkshire coast.
Nick remains in entertainment through his QTalent artiste management company, led by Phil Dale, and as an occasional investor and co-producer of West End shows. Nick is a Vice President of the Royal Variety Charity and a key donor to the Scarborough College Foundation, which is funding the creation of the new Lisvane Hall performance space.
Qdos Pantomimes
World's Largest Producer
HQ Theatres
13 Regional Theatres
Olivier Award
Dick Whittington, 2017/18
MBE
Services to Entertainment