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Disruption claims: brewer Greene King has said impact of strike action on pubs will be minimal (image: Sludge G, Flickr)

Greene King quashes ‘beer drought’ strike claims

One of the country’s largest brewers has sought to dispel claims that UK pubgoers will face a beer shortage when its warehouse workers take strike action next month.

AB InBev loses £220m in revenue due to coronavirus

Global brewer AB InBev reported its revenue dropped as a result of coronavirus – this particular strain is known as Covid-19 – in the first two months of 2020, in its trading results.

Resolution needed over JDW carpet row

A town council has said it is hopeful that a dispute over the design of a JD Wetherspoon pub carpet will be resolved without legal action.

JDW hotel ‘unsure when it will reopen’ due to severe floods

A JD Wetherspoon (JDW) hotel has been closed since 18 February after futile efforts to pump out water due to floods rising through the cellar.

Bake-off winner Candice Brown protests pubs’ financial plight

Great British Bake Off winner-turned-publican Candice Brown trapped herself in a giant pint glass outside parliament to highlight the monetary bind facing local pub operators.

Illegally destroyed pub still not rebuilt after 5 years

The battle to rebuild iconic London pub the Carlton Tavern is still not over as the building work is taking place, five years after it was knocked down.

Las Iguanas and Café Rouge operator to trial pub concept, Big Smoke to open fifth site

The company behind Bella Italia, Café Rouge and Las Iguanas has announced plans to trial a new pub concept while Big Smoke Brew Co, Shepherd Neame and Stonegate have unveiled pub refurbs.

Coronavirus could hit Diageo net sales ‘by up to £325m’

Giant drinks company Diageo has forecast a decline for its 2020 fiscal year as the coronavirus outbreak shuts off a prime source of trade.

Double Dutch founders launch mentoring scheme for female mixologists

The founders of premium mixer brand Double Dutch have unveiled a new scholarship and mentoring programme for female mixologists in the hope of tackling the under-representation of women in the UK drinks trade.

‘I’m no fraudster’ claims cancer charity fraud publican

A publican has been found guilty of fraud after the funds raised from a event he hosted never reached the charity.

Pubs are an ‘extraordinary community resource’ that need protecting, MPs urge Government

Before the spring Budget on 11 March, the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group has urged the Government to consider the great British pub’s potential to boost economic and social wellbeing into its policymaking.

Revolution Bars to ‘resume site expansion’

Revolution Bars Group has registered a 3.5% increase in revenue for the six months to 28 December 2019 as it prepares to resume expansion plans.

‘If there’s a lack of innovation in a category, then people migrate’

Despite a lengthy stint in the off-trade, Stephen Watt predicts a lot of energy will go into making the on-trade future for Heineken a bright one

Gordon’s launches lemon gin

Diageo-owned Gordon’s has announced its new Sicilian Lemon gin variant, which offers “a Mediterranean twist on the original recipe”.

M&B expand low-alcohol beer offer with Big Drop

Pub group Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has increased its range for pubgoers who do not want to drink alcohol by stocking new 0.5% ABV beers.

Government appoints new PCA

The Government has announced it has appointed Fiona Dickie as the new pubs code adjudicator (PCA), a role that was previously filled by Paul Newby.

UK public ‘will not be tricked’ by EU deal, says Tim Martin

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) founder and chairman Tim Martin has warned UK and EU negotiators the public will shun EU goods if a deal fails to achieve a real restoration of democracy.

Publican’s daughter recoups stolen £3.4k takings

A theft of more than £3,000 worth of pub takings almost saw a hospitalised publican become homeless as the burglary threatened the pub’s closure – but his daughter’s fundraiser saved the day.

Top tips: don’t give anyone a reason to be noisy

It may feel a long way away given the recent storms, but spring really is just around the corner – it officially starts on 20 March.

Insolvencies across hospitality businesses up 10%

Underlying company insolvencies in England and Wales increased for accommodation, food and beverage companies by 10.4%, new analysis has found.

Arc Inspirations makes double appointment

Premium bar operator Arc Inspirations has appointed Laura Lewis as its new head of marketing and Tim Knockton as financial director in the hope of building on the ‘most successful year in the company’s history’.

Man handed life sentence for murder of licensee

A 35-year-old man who stabbed a licensee to death outside his pub has been sentenced to life in prison.

Pubs positively linked to economic value of rural areas

There is a strong positive relationship between an increase in the number of pubs and an increase in house prices, according to research from Northumbria University, Newcastle.

Late-night levy changes in store

This year is likely to start with the arrival of another late-night levy. This time in Redbridge, where the full council will meet in a few weeks’ time to decide on adopting the levy.

If I were a bar person or waiter I’d be profoundly insulted by the use of the term ‘unskilled labour’

Pete Brown reacts to the new immigration rules that downplay the difficult roles hospitality workers have

Pubs to open longer to mark Victory over Japan day

The Government will consult on a proposal to relax licensing hours in England and Wales on the 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day.

Avoid going viral: should pub operators take extra measures against coronavirus?

Five pub staff members were directed to “self-isolate” themselves after a customer – who was unaware they had contracted coronavirus – entered the premises. Should operators be concerned or are there steps they can take to eradicate any potential health...

One-in-four Brits reckon running a pub is a ‘very difficult’ career

A cocktail of long hours and spiralling sector costs appear too strong for more than three quarters of the British public, who consider running a pub to be a ‘difficult’ career path.