Legislation

NTIA backs Government report: the UK must catch up with drug testing policies across Europe (credit: Getty/Flashpop)

NTIA backs call to modernise UK drugs policy

By Gary Lloyd

The late-night sector must come together to enhance drug testing across nightlife businesses because the Government’s policy on drugs needs “urgent modernisation”.

Stark reminder: private security sector faces huge challenges amid ongoing reforms (Credit:Getty/somboon kaeoboonsong)

Private security sector faces 'huge challenges'

By Rebecca Weller

The private security sector faces some “huge challenges” over the coming years with a “huge amount” of work to be done by regulators and the Government, according to the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA).

What's in the news 25 August?

Review of the Week

'I don't feel represented'

By Ed Bedington

Top chef and pub and bistro operator Gary Usher calls for more passion from lobbyists, greater support for independent businesses, a reduction in VAT and talks about the challenges around recruitment in the MA's Review of the Week.

Local engagement: gathering data that supports your argument is one tip Poppleston Allen gives on navigating council consultations (image: Getty/Henrik Sorensen)

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Your voice matters: embracing council consultations for cumulative impact assessments

By David Inzani, partner, Poppleston Allen

The UK's vibrant and varied hospitality industry has long been a cornerstone of its cultural identity. However, as the landscape has evolved and dynamics shifted since the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003, so too has the approach to regulating...

Pub blaze: police previously revealed the fire was being treated as arson (image: Getty/georgeclerk)

Police attend protest at Crooked House site

By Nikkie Thatcher

Police officers were in attendance at the former site of the Crooked House in Himley, Staffordshire this week after receiving reports a group of protesters were there.

What's in the news 18 August?

Review of the Week

'Recruitment is getting a bit easier'

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington met up with Yummy Collection's Anthony Pender to chat through the week's news, from takeaway pints to energy and new openings.

Big match: the Women's World Cup final is taking place in Sydney, Australia (credit: Getty/gradyreese)

Gov urged to allow early Sunday opening for World Cup final

By Gary Lloyd

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) is among many in the industry to call on the Government to allow pubs to serve beer from 10am this Sunday so both pubs and customers can benefit from England reaching the Women’s World Cup final.

Closing down: The hospitality sector battles financial pressures (Credit: Getty/ ilbusca)

Pub closures hit highest quarterly figure in a decade

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pub closures reached the highest quarterly figure in more than a decade in the second quarter of 2023 (Q2), smashing the previous record set in Q1, according to data obtained by Price Bailey.

How can pubs tackle the energy crisis?

The Power Struggle

Act now to tackle the energy crisis

By Ed Bedington

With volatile energy costs and operators locked into sky-high deals, the Morning Advertiser has teamed up with UKHospitality to launch a campaign, The Power Struggle, to ensure the industry is heard loud and clear as part of a consultation process.

(image: Getty/piyaphun)

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

A Jekyll and Hyde approach to outside areas?

By Andy Grimsey, solicitor, Poppleston Allen

I wonder what is so different between allowing the provision of tables and chairs in outside areas at pubs and bars and allowing for off-sales of alcohol to facilitate customers consuming alcohol on those very tables and chairs?

New rules: the change came into force on 1 August (image: Getty/Henrik Sorensen)

OPINION

What does the alcohol duty change mean for pubs?

By Eddie Murphy, managing director, PLS

By now you will understand from 1 August, alcohol duty has been changed by the Government in the UK, leaving aside much of the technical details (mainly for producers) please see a summary of the primary issues affecting publicans.

Impact of new alcohol duty rules on pubs

OPINION

Thanks for next to nothing, Mr Prime Minister

By Ed Bedington

The days when Rishi Sunak was viewed as the white knight of the pub trade, riding to the rescue with furlough, VAT cuts, business rates holidays and (maybe) Eat Out To Help Out are now something of a dim and distant memory.

Shocking figures: 30 pubs a week lost in first six months of the year (Credit: Getty/whitemay)

More than 750 pubs shut in H1 2023

By Rebecca Weller

Some 30 pubs a week closed across the first six months of the year, “shocking” figures from the Campaign for Ale (CAMRA) have revealed.

Opinions sought: trade bodies are backing a consultation on gambling (credit: Getty/SolStock)

Gov consultation on gaming machines in pubs welcomed

By Gary Lloyd

Pub trade bodies UKHospitality (UKH) and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) have welcomed a consultation by the Government that is seeking views on matters relating to gaming machines in pubs and other venues.

Long time coming: hospitality sector reacts to Ofgem's plans to address energy crisis (Credit: Getty/Selitbul)

Ofgem reforms 'welcomed' by sector

By Rebecca Weller

Ofgem’s reformation plans to address the ongoing energy crisis have been welcomed by the sector, but trade bodies warn the Government must act “urgently” to avoid more business failures.

To vape or not to vape? We want to know your pub's stance on e-cigs

POLL: Do you permit vaping in your pub?

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Local councils have urged the Government to crackdown on the marketing of vapes, with the number of British adults using the products reaching record heights last year.

Money streams closed: UKHospitality wonders how serious the Government is about reducing red tape for businesses (credit: Getty/chabybucko)

Extra sales revenue streams for on-trade ended by Gov

By Gary Lloyd

The Government has decided it will end automatic provision for pubs and bars to sell alcohol for off-site consumption and will halt the increased number of temporary event notices (TENs) permitted too.

Sector showcase: the #MyPub campaign calls on operators to invite MPs to their sites to help illustrate their importance in communities

BII campaign calls for pubs to engage with MPs

By Nikkie Thatcher

Operators have been urged to write to their MPs and invite them to their pubs, in a bid to show the importance of the sector in communities as part of a new campaign.

How pubs can reduce plastic usage

GREEN INITIATIVE

‘Single-use plastic is more than straws’

By Nikkie Thatcher

The increased use around single-use plastics has become a global sustainability issue, according to the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

Compensation: Harcus Parker hopes to return some 'secret' broker fees back to businesses

Over 170 pubs join legal claim against energy giants

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pubs may have overpaid by more than £1,000 per year on energy costs, a law firm has revealed as it plans to help businesses recover "secret commissions" paid to brokers by energy companies.

Extremely disappointing: EON rejects pub's application for extended supply potentially dashing garden refurb plans (Pictured: Queens Head garden)

E.ON boss: sector too 'high risk' to invest in

By Rebecca Weller

A Middlesex pub could see expansion plans “cancelled” after its energy supplier rejected an application to extend the site’s supply, deeming the entire hospitality sector too “high risk”.

Political move: Carlsberg, which introduced bio-based bottles a year ago to its UK subsidiary, has not been contacted by Russian authorities

Carlsberg’s Russian subsidiary seized by state

By Gary Lloyd

The Russian subsidiary of beer manufacturer Carlsberg has been taken over by Russia after president Vladimir Putin signed an order to put it in “temporary management” of the state.

How pubcos engage with the pubs code

OPINION

Championing code compliance

By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

The role of the pubs code adjudicator is varied and one part of it involves taking time to understand how the regulated pub companies run their businesses and how they embed their code duties into their relationships with their tied tenants. The regulator...

Unfair: trade bodies call for Late-Night Levy to be scrapped (Credit: Getty/Predrag Vuckovic)

Late-night levy changes 'damaging blow'

By Rebecca Weller

Changes to the late-night levy (LNL) are a “damaging blow” but a “step in the right direction”, according to trade bodies across the sector.

Spotlight

(credit: Getty/ViewApart) Experts give comment for the Beer Report 2024 The Morning Advertiser's Lock In podcast episode 78 Making the most of your ghost Competition kicked off: entry for the 2024 Great British Pub Awards is now open Hunt is under way for the Great British Pub of the Year

Property of the week

KENT - HIGH QUALITY FAMILY FRIENDLY PUB

£ 60,000 - Leasehold

Busy location on coastal main road Extensively renovated detached public house Five trade areas (100)  Sizeable refurbished 4-5 bedroom accommodation Newly created beer garden (125) Established and popular business...

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