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Recovering Rekom: Boss Peter Marks is 'cautiously optimistic' for the future

Rekom UK CEO ‘cautiously optimistic’ for post-Plan B trade

Despite a rocky festive trading period, Rekom UK chief executive Peter Marks was “excited” for a future free from Plan B restrictions, and said young people should be celebrated for their responsibility.

Pub sales volumes up more than 100%

Transaction volumes for the pub sector rose by 103% in 2021, a new report from business property adviser Christie & Co has revealed.

Saturday 4 December most profitable trading day

Pub sales were down 29.2% in December 2021 when compared to 2019 with New Year’s Eve sales down some 30%, however staff headcounts and hours worked were in good stead, the latest Fourth Hospitality Report has shown.

Parting present from the partying PM?

And just like that Boris Johnston announced the end of Plan B, and much rejoicing was heard throughout the country.

Robinsons will invest £12m to relocate brewery, staff and all operations to one site

Robinsons Brewery is set to invest more than £12m to relocate its Stockport town centre brewing and head office operations to its packaging centre site in Bredbury.

Gunpowder Gin form BrewDog’s spirit arm, Liberation Brewing’s first non-alcoholic beer

There are plenty of new products being launched at the moment so there’s a good chance something will help you light up your offer in the run-up to Burns Night and Valentine’s Day.

13 sites a day lost since pandemic’s onset

While Britain’s hospitality sector grew modestly in the last quarter of 2021, tough trading conditions now threaten to halt the sector’s upturn, the Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners has revealed.

UKH survey to help Government shape future of sector

UKHospitality (UKH) has urged operators, including pubs and nightclubs, to take part in its upcoming annual Benchmarking Survey, following its hiatus last year due to the pandemic.

JDW sees sales decrease by 11.7% in half year to January

J D Wetherspoon (JDW) saw like-for-like sales and total sales decreased by 11.7% and 13.3% respectively in the 25 weeks to 16 January 2022, when compared to the similar period in financial year 2020.

Easing of NI restrictions welcomed by trade body

Hospitality Ulster has welcomed the news restrictions in Northern Ireland are set to be eased at the end of the week.

Leicestershire pub fundraising to provide breakfast for disadvantaged children

A Leicestershire pub has started a fundraising project to provide disadvantaged children at a nearby school with a healthy breakfast.

Plan B rules lift ‘good news’ but severity of impact ‘must not be underestimated’

The Government's latest announcement that Plan B rules are being scrapped has been cautiously welcomed by trade bodies, alongside calls for further support.

Revolution restarts the party at Electric Press, sites hit market in Scotland and North Yorkshire

The party has started again for Revolution with a £300k revamp at a site in Leeds, properties have been put on the market in Scotland and North Yorkshire while GK has invested jointly on a Wirral pub and Baker Hospitality takes on a third site.

‘Covid Passes were this year’s version of the Scotch egg’

Covid Passes led to confusion, conflict and cost in what was "this year's version of the Scotch egg", according to Revolution Bars chief executive Rob Pitcher, who said the Government must do more than roll back Plan B restrictions.

Inn Collection Group secures £42m funding for renovation and expansion

Pub operator The Inn Collection Group has secured an additional £42m funding from OakNorth Bank to revamp about half of its 26 sites and develop its property portfolio.

Work from home advice scrapped, Gov confirms

Plan B measures including guidance to work from home and mandatory Covid passes for nightclubs are to be dropped, the Government has announced.

Pubs and bars hit hardest over festive period

Britain’s managed pub, bar and restaurant groups suffered a double-digit sales drop from pre-Covid levels in December, yet pubs and bars were hit particularly hard over the festive period, the latest CGA Business Tracker revealed.

Feature: Get the right staff and let tech help you win in business

We all know that if we want to make money in our pubs, we need customers to buy drinks and food but there are many aspects needed to enable that to happen from having the right staff to do the right things through to back-office tech to help make the...

'Long and arduous recovery' for Scottish pubs after restrictions lift

The announcement of coronavirus restrictions in Scotland being lifted as from Monday (24 January) has been welcomed by hospitality trade bodies, however the sector has called for clarity regarding dancefloors.

Pedalling for Pubs raises almost £150,000

Charity cycle event Pedalling for Pubs has almost reached its fundraising milestone of £150,000, having reached £146,000 as of Tuesday 18 January.

SA Brain in deal to sell estate

Leading Welsh brewer SA Brain is reported to be set to sell the freeholds of the majority of it’s pubs to a global consortium for a reported £100m.

Cumbrian pub opens only shop in village

Publicans of the Royal Oak Hotel in Beckermet, Cumbria have come to the rescue of local residents by opening the only store in the village.

Freixenet Copestick acquires English sparkling wine estate

Freixenet Copestick has entered the English Sparkling Wine market with its acquisition of Bolney Wine Estate on 14 January.

Hospitality Ulster calls for lifting of NI restrictions after worst trading week in months

Hospitality Ulster has called for strict measures to be lifted and nightclubs reopened in Northern Ireland, after data revealed the week commencing 3 January 2022 to be hospitality’s worst week of trading in two months.

Welsh government accused of ‘reckless posturing’ as anger in hospitality grows

While Welsh operators will be looking forward to the lifting of restrictions in a couple of weeks, anger is growing as to whether the restrictions were needed at all.

Teens crave face-to-face experiences when visiting hospitality venues

Technology and social media played a key part in attracting younger people to hospitality venues, but most teenagers craved in-person interaction, new research from hospitality tech firm Zonal has shown.

Only 5.1% of customers understand the difference between 'no' and 'low' alcohol

Licensees have been urged to ensure customers understand the difference between ‘low’ alcohol and ‘no’ alcohol beverages with regards to ABV this January.

Greene King pub in Cheshire relaunches after £250,000 investment

Greene King Pub Partners has relaunched the Red Lion pub in Parkgate, Cheshire, following a £250,000 investment into its renovation from the pub operator and the sites new tenants.

Welsh Six Nations games to be played in Wales

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed Wales’s Six Nations rugby matches are to be hosted in Wales as planned after restrictions were lifted, offering a chance for hospitality businesses in the country to recoup some revenue from lost trade...

Baker Hospitality set to open its third venue

Pub operator Baker Hospitality has expanded its portfolio with a venue in Mersea Island, Essex, set to open in Spring 2022.

2022 Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs set to be revealed

The best gastropubs in the business are set to be announced as The Morning Advertiser gears up for the reveal of the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list for 2022.

Hard times ahead?

The Lock In team review the Christmas that wasn't and take a look to the months ahead and what to expect. We talk the challenging financial situation with top advice from expert advisor Chris Worden from 1st Business Rescue, hear from award winning...