Headlines

Government announcement: Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to the deliver the Budget later in October

Sector reveals hopes and fears in Budget lead-up

Business rates, wage increases and tax rises are just three areas of concern leaders from the sector have highlighted ahead of the Budget on Wednesday 30 October.

Trade warning: now is the time to deliver the fundamental change promised, the letter says (Getty/Images By Tang Ming Tung)

Budget ‘last chance for Gov to stop rates bills quadrupling’

Bosses of the country’s biggest and well-known pub groups have backed calls for business rates support at the Budget.

Tough comparatives: this time last year the Rugby World Cup was on and there was warm weather (Getty/SolStock)

On-trade YOY drinks sales fall for third week in a row

Year-on-year drinks sales have fallen for the third week in a row, according to CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker.

More pain ahead: Everyone is focused on the here and now but 2026 could see eye watering business rates hikes says Alex Probyn (Credit:Getty/Andrew Brookes)

'Everyone focused on here & now but 2026 could be even worse'

Hospitality firms need to plan for longer-term pain as increases to business rates bills come April 2026 have the potential to be eye-watering.

Working in tandem: Andy Slee says jobs and more money for the Treasury can be created

OPINION: We must work with Gov to reform biz rates pledge

A new Government with a huge majority can reset the UK in many ways, most importantly for hospitality is a fairer tax burden between tech businesses and traditional ones, like ours.

Financial burdens: CAMRA warns rising costs becoming

Pint prices rise by 3.6%

The price of a pint of draught lager in pubs jumped 3.6% in the 12 months to September 2024, new figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed.

Stand out from the crowd: offer a low-carbon Christmas meal (Getty/SolStock)

Low-carbon Christmas meal initiative, Net Zero Festival imminent

As customers become more demanding about where they spend their money out of home, offering more sustainable Christmas meals could give your pub the edge.

Improved performance: independent breweries closures have slowed for the third quarter in a row

Closure rates of independent breweries slows again

Figures from SIBA's UK Brewery Tracker have shown the net closure rate of breweries in the UK has slowed during the third quarter of 2024 while openings have increased in some areas.

Impact IPA: Greene King releases limited-edition beer to mark £20m charity fundraising milestone

Greene King unveils new beer to mark £20m fundraising 'milestone'

Greene King has announced the launch of a limited-edition beer to celebrate hitting its £20m fundraising target for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Progress made: BrewDog's H1 2024 shows the business is back in profit

BrewDog co-founder frustrated over missing out on return to profit

BrewDog co-founder James Watt has revealed his frustration over the Scottish brewer and bar operator’s narrow failure in returning to profit in its 2023 results.

Stonegate adds to AF line-up

Stonegate Group has increased its alcohol-free line-up with a deal to list AF-beer brand Days.

Publican Awards 2025 open for entry

Are you running the best business in the pub and bar sector? The search is now underway for the best in the business as entries for the Publican Awards 2025 are now open.