All news articles for April 2011

Rent cut by £8.2k after arbitration

08-Apr-2011 By Ewan Turney

An Enterprise Inns tenant has had her rent reduced by £8,200 after taking the pubco to arbitration — but the pubco has claimed both sides could...

Kegwatch to increase charges

08-Apr-2011 By Tony Halstead

Kegwatch is to increase the charge it makes for re-patriating lost beer containers to brewers and other suppliers by £1 from May to help plug a...

Orchid employees name new wine range

08-Apr-2011 By Michelle Perrett

Two employees from Orchid Pub Company were celebrating after winning a competition to name and design the label for its new wine range. The...

Archbishop and MP join forces against pub name change

07-Apr-2011 By Lesley Foottit

The Archbishop of Westminster and Ann Widdecombe are supporting a petition that calls for a London pub to keep its name after reopening.

United we stand to champion the pub trade

07-Apr-2011 By The PMA Team

Welcome to the first edition of The Publican's Morning Advertiser — our task to become the industry's indispensable guide, says The PMA Team.

Small wonder at the Butcher's Arms

07-Apr-2011 By Phil Mellows

Martyn Hillier did more than open a pub when the Butcher's Arms launched in 2005 — he started the micro-pub movement, reports Phil Mellows.

Wetherspoons fined £27K over health and safety

07-Apr-2011 By Graham Ridout

A student who was severely scalded while working for Wetherspoons is pursuing legal action for compensation against the managed pub chain.

Licensees urged to tell Government about red tape worries

07-Apr-2011 By Michelle Perrett

Licensees will get their chance to tell the Government which pieces of red tape they think should be scrapped. The new Red Tape challenge website,...

Minimum wage increases by 2.5%

07-Apr-2011 By Graham Ridout

The new minimum wage rate for adults has been increased by 2.5% and are due to come into effect in October. The Government has accepted...

Gamestec to supply Young's managed pubs

07-Apr-2011 By Gurjit Degun

London-based pub operator Young's has signed an agreement with gaming machine operator Gamestec. Gamestec will provide a bespoke products for each...

TV pub chef is Nestlé ambassador

07-Apr-2011 By Lesley Foottit

Michelin-starred TV chef Tom Kerridge has become the first Chef Club ambassador for Nestlé Professional. The Chef Club has been created for...

Livebookings' record-breaking March pub reservations

07-Apr-2011 By Lesley Foottit

Over one million dinner reservations were made through Livebookings' online booking system in March alone. Seven million bookings were made...

Leading police officer in Scotland supports minimum pricing

07-Apr-2011 By Graham Ridout

The chances of Scotland setting a minimum pricing policy on alcohol increased this week, after the move was supported by a leading police officer....

Barracuda's latest menu in Smith & Jones

07-Apr-2011 By Jo Bruce

Barracuda Group has launched a new menu in its 80 Smith & Jones sites featuring more fresh produce. Kate Eastwood, the company's head of food,...

Foster's unveils new fonts for summer

07-Apr-2011 By Robyn Black

Foster's lager stockists will be getting new fonts from this summer as brand owner Heineken rolls out the brand's new look to pubs and bars. The new...

'Follow lead of Fuller's on RPI rents'

07-Apr-2011 By Ewan Turney

A trade expert has challenged pubcos to follow the lead of Fuller's and cap RPI-indexed rent rises at 3%. The record level of the Retail Prices...

Government: help us with Responsibility Deal

07-Apr-2011 By Ewan Turney & Lesley Foottit

The Government wants to know what incentives it can offer licensees to get involved with its Responsibility Deal on food and alcohol. Under the...

Heineken to charge for beer keg losses

07-Apr-2011 By Tony Halstead

Brewer Heineken UK is planning to introduce a £25 charge for each beer and cider container customers fail to return after revealing kegs and casks...

Publican awards celebrate trade's finest

07-Apr-2011 By PMA Reporter

The best licensees, pubs and companies have all been rewarded for their outstanding efforts at The Publican Awards. At a glamorous ceremony at the...

Ex-darts champ Bristow evicted from pub

07-Apr-2011 By Graham Ridout

Former darts world champion Eric Bristow has been evicted from the Punch pub he ran in conjunction with licensee Barry Birch. The pair were forced...

Eating and drinking out spend rises in Q1

06-Apr-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Consumers are continuing to eat and drink out despite the challenging economic times, according to the Consumer Expenditure Index.

Moody's downgrades Punch A and B

06-Apr-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Rating agency Moody's has downgraded Punch Taverns A and B securitisations — it expects profits to stabilise in 2012.

Man dies after Tiger Tiger balcony fall

06-Apr-2011 By Lesley Foottit

A man fell 50 feet to his death from a fourth floor balcony at Tiger Tiger in Manchester at the weekend.

Interesting times in which we live

06-Apr-2011 By Nigel Anstead

Nigel Anstead has a busy few weeks coming up with plans for the royal wedding and St George's Day.

Butcombe Brewery buys pub operator Triple Rock

06-Apr-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Somerset brewer and operator Butcombe has added three pubs to its estate with the acquisition of local operator Triple Rock for an undisclosed sum.

Morgan's Spiced gets promoted to Captain

06-Apr-2011 By Robyn Black

A £7m rebrand for Diageo-owned Morgan's Spiced will see it renamed Captain Morgan's Spiced, sporting a new look and supported with an on-trade...

Something for everyone at the Farm Tavern

06-Apr-2011 By Sheila McWattie

Chef Zoë Rodgers tells Sheila McWattie about making sure vegetarian and vegan food share star billing at Sussex's Farm Tavern. How we got here I...

Confusion over rate relief disparity

06-Apr-2011 By Gurjit Degun

A Devon licensee has hit out at the business rate-relief system after he missed out on the rates holiday, extended in the Budget for another year,...

Molson Coors adds 25 to field sales team

06-Apr-2011 By Ewan Turney

Molson Coors has added 25 staff to its field sales team as they look to undertake 78,000 site visits during 2011. The new field sales executives...

Licensees urged to appeal bank lending decisions

06-Apr-2011 By Gurjit Degun

Licensees who feel they have been unfairly denied bank lending are being urged to put a new appeals process to the test. This comes after the...

Brakspear pubs win £2K each at awards

06-Apr-2011 By Michelle Perrett

Tenants at six Brakspear pubs have received £2,000 each as winners of the first ever Hospitality Awards. The awards were made to the licensees who...

Principle Leisure in administration

06-Apr-2011 By Michelle Perrett

Principle Leisure, the Tyne & Wear-based operator, has been placed on the market after falling into administration. Christie + Co is marketing...

Build up the buzz: energy drinks in pubs

05-Apr-2011 By Robyn Black

There is still plenty of scope left for growth in the energy-drink sector, particularly in the on-trade, reports Robyn Black.

Don't empower those wanting to close pubs

05-Apr-2011 By Greg Mulholland

The pubco model stifles entrepreneurship when we need this to revitalise pubs, says Greg Mulholland.

Slug and Lettuce launches spring menu

05-Apr-2011 By Lesley Foottit

High street brand Slug and Lettuce is gearing up to launch its spring summer menu with new dishes, wine and cocktails.

Justice for Licensees unveils action plan in 2011 manifesto

05-Apr-2011 By MA Reporter

Justice for Licensees has unveiled a seven-point plan in its 2011 manifesto, which it hopes will address the most important issues facing the on-trade.

St Austell launches iPhone pub finder app

05-Apr-2011 By Lesley Foottit

St Austell Brewery has launched its own iPhone app with an Ale Trail game to reward customers with prizes as they visit more pubs.

Inventive opens its first rum bar

05-Apr-2011 By The PMA Team

Revolution vodka bar operator Inventive Leisure opened its first dedicated rum bar in Sheffield at the weekend. With décor and layout inspired by...

Market Town Taverns boss buys Roosters brewery

05-Apr-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Ian Fozard, boss of pub operator Market Town Taverns, has bought local microbrewery Roosters and plans to hand control of it to his two sons.

Carlsberg to upgrade flagship brand

05-Apr-2011 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Carlsberg Group has announced a major upgrade of all key elements of its flagship brand, Carlsberg. The upgrade, which the group says will support...

BrewDog to open third craft beer bar in August

05-Apr-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Controversial Scottish microbrewer BrewDog is to open its third craft beer bar in August, with the site chosen by a BrewDog fan in a competition run...