All news articles for August 2017

Bar staff problems: asking customers for ID can sometimes be tricky

8 problems only bar staff will understand

By Nikkie Sutton

Bar staff can be put through the mill at times, having to deal with rude customers, expected to create miracles and all with a smile on their face.

Feisty feedback: The Burger Bros site has responded to critics on TripAdvisor (pic credit: John Baker)

Burger bar's tirade at internet reviewers

By Nikkie Sutton

A Kent bar has hit back at TripAdvisor reviews calling one user a “fantasist”, another “opinionated, rude and ignorant” and one other user “insane”.

Pounding pavements: the MA500 business club is set to hit the streets of Edinburgh next month (September)

MA500 Edinburgh study tour unveiled

By Nikkie Sutton

The MA500 crowd is heading north of the border for the first time and will hit the streets of Edinburgh to visit some of the city’s most exciting and vibrant venues.

Record low: unemployment rate has fallen to 4.4%

Employment rate lowest since 1975

By Georgina Townshend

The unemployment rate is the lowest it has been since 1975, official figures have shown, with 125,000 more people in work in the three months from April to June 2017.

Beware of liquids and powders: corrosive substances could easily be brought into a licensed premises

How to respond to an acid attack

By Katie Coyne

Acid attacks have become more common. Met Police figures, for example, show in 2015 there were 262 acid attacks but this jumped to 458 in 2016.

Blanket ban: airline Ryanair has called for a ban on alcohol sales in airport bars before 10am

Trade responds to airline's alcohol limit call

By Fred A'Court

The trade has underlined the need for the responsible sale of alcohol and action against drunken airline passengers in response to tough suggested limits on sales at airport bars and restaurants by Ryanair. 

Unnecessary pressure: PCA Paul Newby is concerned over Calderbank Offer letters

Pubs code adjudicator raises concerns over Calderbank letters

By Georgina Townshend

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has urged tied pub tenants to alert him if they receive a Calderbank Offer letter from their pubco during tied rent reviews, after concerns one has “broken a commitment to no longer use them”.

Pubco power: customers will not be able to charge their phones behind the bar of JDW pubs

Would you let customers charge their phones behind the bar?

By Nikkie Sutton

Following national reports that JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has banned customers from charging their phones behind the bar of its pubs, The Morning Advertiser spoke with licensees about their policies on the issue.

For better or wurst: Simon's Sausage was just one option for operators to sample snacks at the GBBF

Great British Beer Festival

Top pub snacks from this year's GBBF

By Nikkie Sutton

This year's Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) showcased not only the top beers, ciders and perries but a plethora of pub snacks too.

Increased selection: Punch and Star pubs can order beers from outside their ordinary range for festivals

How can tied pubs still host beer festivals?

By James Beeson

The hot summer weather may be but a distant memory, but for many pubs the arrival of summer is hailed as the perfect opportunity to increase trade and footfall by hosting a beer festival. 

Rates 'fiasco': Liberal Democrats used Freedom of Information requests to compile figures

Only £197k of £300m rates relief fund distributed so far

By Georgina Townshend

Local authorities have only paid out £197,000 of the £300m earmarked for business rates relief, since the payments became 'available' in April – the Liberal Democrat Party has revealed using Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.