All news articles for March 2018

Up and down: dairy is a particularly volatile category when it comes to pricing, according to the index

Cost of food continues to fall

By Nikkie Sutton

Raw ingredients prices fell in January this year, when compared with December 2017, thanks to a drop in costs of bread and dairy.

Legal knowledge: Jonathan Greatorex wants TripAdvisor to take down untrue reviews

How to remove malicious TripAdvisor reviews

By James Beeson

It’s every licensee’s worst nightmare. A wholly untrue and malicious review, posted on the internet on a website that refuses to take it down.

Vibrant industry: pub groups were lauded for their fast growth and innovation in the hospitality sector

Pub groups recognised at the Retailers’ Retailer Awards

By James Wallin, MCA

Cutting edge pub groups were recognised at this year’s Retailers’ Retailer Awards, now in their 20th year and organised by MCA, the Morning Advertiser’s sister title, at London’s Guildhall on Wednesday night.

So much to do: The Publican Awards promises to be a fun evening

Sneak preview: great night on the cards for Publican Awards

By Ed Bedington

The Publican Awards are now just days away, and while top comedian Rob Brydon will be leading the celebrations, he won’t be the only entertainment on the night. Here's your guide to what to expect from the night.

Cost price: almost half (46%) of consumers say price impacts their decision to drink 'soft drinks' when out, according to CGA

Moving soft drinks upmarket

By Andrew Don

Publicans do not have to be soft to give non-alcoholic drinks a hard push but they should do it with panache.

Industry problems: diners who do not turn up for their bookings at pubs is a big issue in the trade

Pubs need to do more to tackle no-shows

By Nikkie Sutton

Operators should move towards technology to help them deal with the industry-wide issues of no-shows, according to a booking expert.

Return on investment: employers are more positive about apprenticeship levy

Employers ‘more positive’ about apprenticeship levy a year on

By Claire Churchard

The majority of employers are confident that they will receive a positive return on investment (ROI) from the money they’ve paid into the apprenticeship levy, according to a survey of members of the People 1st Apprenticeship Network.

On top: Pernod Ricard UK's new Manchester venue, the Loft, is it's first and only outside of London.

Pernod Ricard UK opens the Loft

By Stuart Stone

Wines and spirits company Pernod Ricard UK launched new multipurpose events space, the Loft, on 28 February at a historic site on Quay Street, Manchester, that was formerly a Walkabout bar.

New brews: Peter Wells of Charles Wells announces new brewery

Charles Wells announces new brewery

By Nicholas Robinson

Brewer and pub operator Charles Wells will build a 30,000hl brewery, worth £13m, in Bedford, after selling its Eagle Brewery to Marston’s in a £55m deal last May.

Awards success: London's Fourpure Brewing Co won brewery of the year at last year's SIBA BeerX

SIBA Business Awards 2018 finalists revealed

By James Beeson

The UK’s top craft beer and brewing businesses have been named as finalists in the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Business Awards 2018, with winners due to be announced on 14 March at BeerX in Liverpool.

Positive: Shepherd Neame posts strong sales results (pic: Jonathan Neame)

‘Food pubs are not dead’ says Shepherd Neame boss

By Nicholas Robinson

Recent upheaval in the casual-dining sphere does not signal the death of the eating-out market, but highlights the pitfalls of “putting all your eggs in one basket” instead of offering variety, according to Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame....

Up for the cup: BT Sport is offering pub football teams the chance to play on Premier League pitches

BT Sport Pub Cup returns for 2018

By Stuart Stone

BT Sport has announced that its Pub Cup football tournament will return for 2018, offering teams the chance to win £5,000 and a BT Sport subscription for their local.

First try: Diageo to launch two new beers at Publican Awards

In association with Diageo

Diageo introduces new beers to UK at Publican Awards

By Nicholas Robinson

In a week’s time the pub trade will honour its successes at the largest industry celebration, the Publican Awards, which will feature dozens of brand activations including several introductions from spirit and beer giant Diageo.

Refresh: the new whiskies will replace the existing range of Origin, Superstition, Diurachs’ Own 16 and Prophecy

Jura launches range of five new whiskies

By James Beeson

Jura Single Malt Whisky is set to undertake the biggest launch in its history with the unveiling of an entirely new range of whiskies for domestic markets around the world.

Graduate landmark: Greene King records record number of apprentices

Greene King hits 10,000 apprentices milestone

By Stuart Stone

Suffolk-based pub retailer and brewer Greene King celebrated the start of National Apprenticeship Week by announcing that it’s apprenticeship schemes have helped 10,000 people graduate to roles within the organisation.

Slowdown: the number of wet-led pubs has fallen by almost 20% in five years but the rate has slowed from 6% in 2014 to 3% in 2017

Wet-led sales are on the up

By Nikkie Sutton

Drink-focused venues may have been the hardest hit in recent years, but they are beginning to fight back, latest figures have shown.

New format: the bottle will be available across the on-trade and off-trade

Bud Light available in bottle

By Nikkie Sutton

AB InBev has launched its Bud Light beer in a 330ml bottle format, one year after the beer was introduced.

Sleeves rolled up: the staff at the Lindisfarne Inn provided 50 motorists with shelter from the wintry weather

Room at the inn for stranded motorists

By Stuart Stone

The Lindisfarne Inn, just south of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, opened its doors to 50 motorists stranded in the snow despite rooms being fully booked.

'Forced out': one of Covent Garden's oldest music venues faces eviction from developers

Eviction threat for award-winning music venue

By Stuart Stone

The Roadhouse, one of the oldest live music venues in Covent Garden, London, faces eviction if planning permission is given to developers looking to revamp the site.

Hot topic: sexist branding in beer has been a contentious issue in recent months

Sexist branding 'could violate alcohol-marketing guidelines'

By James Beeson

Breweries that chose to use sexist branding to advertise beer could soon be in violation of alcohol-marketing guidelines, after the Portman Group announced plans to launch a full public consultation of its code of practice.

Effective immediately: a brewery has placed a female staff member in change of tweets after a consent backlash

Woman to now 'handle all tweets' for Arrogant Brewing

By Georgina Townshend

The executive chairman of a brewery, which faced serious criticism for a joke which said "only wussies ask for permission", has issued a full statement on the situation and confirmed that for the foreseeable future a woman of the company will...

Chocolate delight: this cheesecake takes less than an hour to prepare

In association with Callebaut

How to make: Callebaut chocolate orange cheesecake

By MA editorial

Decadent chocolate mixes well with orange and what better way is there to show off both than in a delicious cheesecake? This recipe uses Callebaut 811 Dark Chocolate Callets