All news

Responses made on Martyn's Law: Emma McClarkin and Kate Nicholls

Trade bodies back changes to Martyn’s Law

By Gary Lloyd

Trade bodies have given their backing to the Government’s revised changes to Martyn’s Law, which will require businesses to increase their readiness to act should there be a terrorist attack.

Priced out: Breweries battle soaring costs and the cost-of-living crisis (Credit: Getty/MontyRakusen)

Insolvencies of breweries jump 82%

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The number of UK breweries going insolvent has jumped 82% in the last year, according to audit, tax & advisory firm Mazars.

Bavarian concept: Albert's Schloss winner Neil McLeod with host Gabby Logan (right)

Pubcos pick up top honours at MCA event

By Gary Lloyd

Pub and bar groups including Albert’s Schloss, Loungers and Greene King enjoyed victory at the MCA Hospitality Awards last week (14 March).

Cask and keg: Adam Mayers of Hydes Brewery

TV show-themed beers from Hydes

By Gary Lloyd

Hydes Brewery will be producing seasonal beers throughout 2024 based on TV shows from the 1980s and 1990s.

Trading update: Sarah Willingham-led Nightcap acquired The Piano Works in February 2024

Nightcap positive despite tough trading in 2024

By Gary Lloyd

Nightcap – the operator of about 50 bars under brands including The Cocktail Club, Barrio Familia, the Adventure Bar Group and The Piano Works – expects trading to continue to be tough in 2024 but is positive for the future.

Shortlist details: we've delved into each of the Best Accommodation Operator finalists for the 2024 Publican Awards

PUBLICAN AWARDS 2024

Find out about the Best Accommodation Operator finalists

By The Morning Advertiser

The Best Accommodation Operator will have focused on offering accommodation as a key part of its business, playing a significant part in contributing to the company’s profits and helping drive trade.

Expanding your business: licensing terms to consider (Credit: Getty/sturti)

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Licensing terms for expanding your business

By Rebecca Weller

There is a lot of information out there as to what to do with your business and how that will affect your premises licence, for example, extending hours of operation etc.

In it to win it: the BII LOYA quarter finalists have been named

BII Licensee of the Year 2024 quarter-finalists named

By Gary Lloyd

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has announced its quarter-finalists list for this year’s Licensee of the Year Award (LOYA) – and 53 pub operators are vying are for the title.

Softly does it: if a drink looks attractive it is likely to entice others to purchase in your pub (credit: Getty/ViewApart)

FEATURE - SOFT DRINKS AND MIXERS

FEATURE: Find a soft spot for making money

By Emma Eversham

If you run a pub off the beaten track, or at least one with limited passing trade and you have a regular supply of customers, then congratulations, you’ve created a destination pub.

The right stuff: branded glassware has been designed to increase the enjoyment of that particular beer or range

OPINION

OPINION: A touch of glass in elevating beer

By Georgina Young, brewing director and head brewer, St Austell Brewery

The hot topic of glassware came up recently on The Morning Advertiser’s Lock In podcast – touching on whether it’s OK or not if a customer gets their beer in an unbranded glass.

What's in the news 15 March

Review of the Week

‘Confidence is starting to rise’

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with the BII's Steve Alton to get his take on the week's news, ahead of his epic trip to Kenya for Pedalling 4 Pubs.

What's on the menu the Queen of Cups Glastonbury

Ayesha Kalaji is stepping into spring

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Ayesha Kalaji, head chef at the Queen of Cups, is creating a “lighter and brighter” menu to reflect the transition from winter to spring.

Hospitality grows 1.4% in February 2024

1.4% growth in Feb ‘disappointingly slow’

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Britain’s top hospitality groups achieved like-for-like sales growth of 1.4% in February, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker has revealed.

Ayehsa Kalaji the Queen of Cups: How to make roasted fennel

DISH DECONSTRUCTED

How to make: Roasted fennel

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Veg doesn't need to be shunned away to a side dish but can proudly take centre stage, and Ayesha Kalaji's roasted fennel recipe proves just that.

Essential part of life: research shows consumers prioritise support for on-trade despite economic pressures (Credit: Getty/SolStock)

Consumers prioritise support for pubs

By Rebecca Weller

Almost two thirds of consumers believe pubs play a vital role in their local community and continue to prioritise on-trade visits despite economic pressures.

Adaptability and flexibility: SIBA rebrands with new name and logo to reflect extended membership

SIBA rebrands with new name and logo

By Rebecca Weller

The Society of Independent Brewers has debuted a new logo and a change of name to “reflect its expanding membership”.

Advice given: Nationwide Energy has outlined ways in which operators can improve their credit score, which can be beneficial when considering suppliers (image: Getty/Galeanu Mihai)

UTILITY UPDATE WITH NATIONWIDE ENERGY

Find out the latest on the utility sector

By Nationwide Energy

With energy markets continuing to fluctuate and operators facing uncertain costs, the MA has teamed up with Nationwide Energy Consultants to provide our readers with a regular update to keep you one step ahead when it comes to the utility sector.

Power list: Hospitality celebrated at the Northern Restaurant and Bar show (Credit: Getty/The Good Brigade)

Top Fifty Hospitality Power List 2024 unveiled

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Kuits NRB Top Fifty Hospitality Power List 2024 was unveiled at the opening of the annual Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) trade show in Manchester yesterday.

Integrity & progression: Abi Dunn advised on management retention

MA LEADERS

What matters to your managers?

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Abi Dunn, the founder of hospitality recruitment agency Sixty Eight People, advised on how to retain managers at the MA Leaders conference in Liverpool last week.

Corner plot: North Laine Brewhouse is stand-out pub in Brighton

Laine’s flagship Brighton pub building on market

By Gary Lloyd

The freehold site of Laine Pub Company’s flagship pub has been placed on the market – but the pubco insists the sale won’t affect the pub and it will be business as usual.

Industry recognition: National Pubwatch recognised brave pub staff at its conference

National Pubwatch rewards brave staff

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

National Pubwatch has recognised three members of pub staff for taking action to save lives and provide safe drinking environments for customers.

Raise a glass: Richard and Donna English celebrate two decades behind the bar

Couple celebrates 20 years behind bar

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Licensees of the Cavendish Arms, Cartmel, Cumbria, have received an award to mark their 20th anniversary at the pub, which is the oldest in the village.

 City landscape: (l-r) Elaine Clarke of Baa Bar, John Ennis of GSG Hospitality and Iain Hoskins of Ma Pubs set the scene in Liverpool with The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington

MA LEADERS

What is operating in Liverpool like?

By Nikkie Thatcher

A buoyant Saturday trade, the impact of businesses continuing to work from home and the need for stronger infrastructure were three of the topics discussed when it comes to operating in the seaport city.

Drinks Tracker: economic challenges continue to damage drinks sales (Credit: Getty/DGLimages)

Economic climate slows drinks sales growth

By Rebecca Weller

Managed venues closed February with further year-on-year drops in drinks sales as “shifting dynamics” make growth more “challenging”, particularly for the spirits category.

Progress made: businesses are moving in the right way

OPINION

OPINION: Sustainability comes of age in pubs and hospitality

By Hamish Stoddart, founder of Peach Pubs and strategic adviser to Punch Pubs

I attended Planet Peach – the hospitality Sustainability Summit – this week and Which?, the consumer magazine, released a sustainability report on pubs and restaurants.