All news articles for May 2018

Out of pocket: Britain's bar staff are tipped less often than hairdressers and takeaway delivery drivers

Only 29% of Brits tip bar staff

By Stuart Stone

According to research conducted by online marketplace OnBuy.com, Britain’s bar staff are tipped less often than hairdressers, taxi drivers, waiters and takeaway delivery drivers.

Protection plea: CAMRA welcomes news that five more pub buildings, built after WW2, have been saved

CAMRA calls to protect more post-war pubs

By Stuart Stone

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has welcomed Historic England’s decision to list five new post-war pubs, and is calling for more post-war pubs to be given similar treatment.

One year on: VOA has released figures for the first year of Check Challenge Appeal

Businesses 'still can’t navigate new rates system'

By Stuart Stone

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has released statistics shedding light on the impact of Check Challenge Appeal (CCA) in the first year since the new system for business rates appeals was introduced in April 2017.

Angel of the north: BrewDog has opened its ninth site in London

BrewDog opens ninth venue in London

By Stuart Stone

Independent craft brewer BrewDog has expanded its presence in the capital with the opening of a new venue in Angel, Islington – its ninth in London.

Trend: beer styles such as DIPAs and imperial stouts are increasingly sold by craft brewers in 440ml or 500ml cans

Could DIPAs be banned under new Portman Group guidelines?

By James Beeson

Brewers selling double IPAs (DIPAs), imperial stouts and other strong beer styles in large packaging formats could fall foul of a new review into the Portman Group’s code of practice, according to the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

Alfresco trading: Making the most of outside areas now the weather's warming up

Alfresco trading: get inside out

By Michelle Perrett

At the first signs of summer, the thoughts of many consumers and operators alike turn to that classic image of drinks and food in an attractive alfresco setting. But bear in mind, expectations are constantly rising, with punters looking for all the mod...

Nice little earner: don't leave your assets gathering dust, subcontract out your rooms

Breathing space: subcontracting your pub rooms for profit

By Emma Eversham

For licensees looking to make extra cash to keep the business rates wolves from the door, subcontracting your space to groups can be a low-maintenance way of bringing in extra revenue while creating goodwill.

Boss departure: CAMRA chief executive Tim Page steps down

CAMRA chief executive Tim Page steps down

By Nicholas Robinson

The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) chief executive Tim Page has announced he will no longer head the organisation following the results of the Revitalisation Project in April.

Spice up your life: wasabi nuts are increasing in popularity, according to Kantar Worldpanel (image credit: thinkstockphotos.co.uk/joannawnuk)

Pubs must watch evolving snack market

By Nikkie Sutton

Snacks are still a lucrative area for pubs to tap into but consumer habits are changing and operators need to innovate to keep and find customers in this evolving sector.

Rub a dub: could wet-led pubs be soaking up more profit this year?

Will 2018 be the year of the wet-led pub?

By Peter Linden, MCA

Results from last year’s pub industry survey with licensees revealed wet-led pubs were in a better trading position than their food-led counterparts. The question is, could this trend become more pronounced in 2018?

Hot food rules: What additional permissions do pubs need to provide hot food later into the evening?

Legal Q&A: Rules on serving hot food

By Poppleston Allen

Specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen's latest legal Q&A looks at the rules governing service of hot food and drinks.

Map created: the UK has almost 100 distilleries

Where to drink whisky in the UK

By Nikkie Sutton

The first interactive map of whisky has been released, marking every whisky distillery across the UK.

Curious: beer trends to be revealed at MA Beer Summit in July

Savvy beer drinkers no longer seeking ‘brands for life’

By James Beeson

The increased availability of information about drinks online has created a generation of “highly educated and discerning” consumers who are less brand-loyal than their older counterparts, according to the managing director of Curious Brewery.

Imposing sight: Victorian Grade II-listed corner pub was a haven for West Ham United fans

Remarkable Pubs acquires Boleyn Tavern freehold

By Claire Churchard

A drinking establishment much beloved of West Ham football fans has come under new management as pub company Remarkable Pubs confirmed it has acquired the freehold interest of the Boleyn Tavern in east London.

Long running: the Great British Beer Festival is in its 41st year

Alcohol-free beer to debut at GBBF

By Nikkie Sutton

This year’s Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) will be offering alcohol-free beer for the first time in its 41 year history, from Dutch-based Braxzz Brewery.

Fake booze: some counterfeit alcohol has been found to contain anti-freeze, nail varnish removed, cleaning fluid and industrial spirits, among other things

WSTA cracks down on fake booze

By Nikkie Sutton

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has joined forces with Crimestoppers in a bid to crack down on criminals pedalling counterfeit alcohol.

Pop up drinks: All the secrets of taking your drinks offer outside and off site.

Drinks on the go

By Nikkie Sutton

Taking your drinks offer outside with a pop-up can provide a spike of excitement and pizazz, as well as adding another revenue stream

Softies revolution: Quality, organic, locally sourced ingredients are key to success

Joining the craft movement

By Andrew Don

With consumers increasingly adopting healthier lifestyles and turning away from sugary mass-produced products, soft drinks producers are embracing crafted alternatives in order to cash in on the latest trends

Drinks menu: Less than half of fans state that lager is their go to drink when watching sport

A pub's guide to: the world cup

From Russia with booze

By Nicholas Robinson

Vodka is an obvious choice when looking to alcohol from Russia, but there's also rich pickings to be had in the lucrative categories of beer and wine, and don't forget the multitude of cocktails you can boost profits with too.

Feedback is key: communication was the top response when young people were asked what they value from a manager

MA500

Lazy Gen Z stereotypes ‘not backed by research’

By Claire Churchard

The popular stereotype that young people are lazy and narcissistic is not backed up by research, according to Josephine Hansom, director at YouthSight, speaking at MA500 in Cardiff.

Drinking resurgence: successful wet-led pubs understand what the consumer wants according to Craft Union's Frazer Grimbleby

MA500

What’s behind the resurgence in wet-led pubs?

By Claire Churchard

Demand for wet-led pubs is growing and is being driven by consumers looking for quality drinks and a welcoming social environment, delegates at the MA500 event in Cardiff heard today.