'Punch Taverns to report slump'

Punch Taverns: The embattled pub company is expected to report a 40 per cent slump in first-half pre-tax profits, but analysts believe that the second half might be more positive because of a slight uptick in trading, increased disposal activity and the repurchase of bonds at below par value - The Times​

About 100 campaigners have held a public meeting to put pressure on breweries to reopen derelict pubs and hotels in west Dorset. The pubs include the Three Cups Hotel in Lyme Regis, a grade II listed building featured in the film The French Lieutenant's Woman. It has stood derelict for about 20 years in the centre of the town. Palmers Brewery, which owns The Three Cups, said many of its smaller rural premises were not viable - BBC​

Cash-strapped Punch Taverns will this week reveal plans for a radical but cut-price makeover of up to a quarter of its managed pubs including the launch of a new carvery pub format in the hope of closing the performance gap with rival Mitchells & Butlers.The turnaround plan has been masterminded by Mike Tye, Punch's new head of its Spirit Group managed arm, who last week told trade newsletter M&C Report it was "obvious that Spirit is under-performing" - The Guardian ​

Regent Inns: The embattled bar operator confirmed the story in The Times that a potential delisting of its shares from the stock market was "under consideration" - The Times​

Ruthless Apprentice wannabe Howard Ebison made his name in the pub trade by firing underperforming colleagues. The regional boss gained a string of enemies at Mitchells & Butlers for giving failing managers the sack.Howard, 24, eventually won over sceptical pub bosses when his hardline methods - inspired by his hero Sir Alan Sugar - turned his struggling area's fortunes around - Daily Star​

Firefighters are tackling a fire which broke out in the early hours of the morning at a 19th century pub in Rhyl. Crews from the town, Abergele and Prestatyn were called to Costigans in Bodfor Street, opposite the train station, just after 0400 BST. Police are also in attendance at the scene. According to the website Rhyl Life, a pub has stood on the site since the 1800s, and was formerly known as the Mermaid, but is now derelict - BBC​