All news articles for October 2018

Health-conscious consumers: Greene King pubs in London will start selling the fermented drink kombucha

Greene King pubs to stock kombucha

By Emily Hawkins

Greene King pubs in the capital are to begin selling the fermented drink kombucha, which is believed to have health benefits.

Cut out: the ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds would come into force between October 2019 and October 2020

Plastic straws could be banned by October 2019

By Nikkie Sutton

Single-use plastic straws and stirrers could be banned as early as October next year, after Environment Secretary Michael Gove launched a consultation into scrapping the items today (22 October).

Spooky specials: what makes a beer appropriate for Halloween?

What makes a beer perfect for Halloween?

By Emily Hawkins

The market for beers relating to Halloween is one full of energy, but what does a beer really need to do to match the spooky season? The Morning Advertiser spoke to brewers to find out.

Sober spaces: there is a growing market for venues offering a late night drinks in a zero-alcohol environment

Are sober bars growing in popularity?

By Emily Hawkins

Although many licensed venues have upped their game and stock more zero- and low-alcohol drinks, some customers want an alcohol-free environment too.

A long and social affair: alcohol consumption dates back 10 million years according to the latest scientific theories

How has alcohol changed in 10 million years?

By Phil Mellows

Alcohol was a poisonous substance millions of years ago. Happily, humans have evolved to be able to drink it and a recent two-day conference revealed the many positive effects of the liquid – especially when used as a part of everyday bonding rituals

Not just in the bag: snacking has moved on from classic crisps and nuts to include tasty insects and exotic flavours

What are the latest trends in bagged snacks?

By Nikkie Sutton

Health tops the consumer agenda, even when it comes to pub snacks. As a result, producers are taking this into consideration when launching new brands

Plenty of options: cider can be served ice cold or warm, and on draught, bag-in-box and bottle

What role can cider play in winter trading?

By Nikkie Sutton

Cider is often seen as a must-have for when it’s hot but, as the temperature drops and the festive season approaches, operators need to be aware that the drink still has a big role to play in wintertime drinking

Training review: many apprentices are not receiving high-quality training, according to a cross-party report

What makes a good hospitality apprenticeship?

By Emily Hawkins

Many apprentices are not receiving high-quality training, according to a new report. The hospitality sector has welcomed calls for greater regulation of training providers.

Precedent set: Thomas Edwards of Fladgate says we are likely to see more enforcement action on fake reviews

Fighting back against paid review fraud

By Stuart Stone

Thomas Edwards of law firm Fladgate examines what the court ruling on fake TripAdvisor reviews in Italy could mean for the hospitality sector in the UK.

Changing times: could serving drinks in a glass be something of the past?

7 ways not to serve cocktails

By Nikkie Sutton

Drinkers have taken to social media to air their frustration at being served drinks, including cocktails, in vessels other than glasses.

Gin protest: the WSTA voices concern ahead of the Budget

Gin boom to be affected by tax increase

By Robert Mann

Britain’s booming £2bn gin industry shows no signs of slowing down and now gin makers across the country have united to call on the Chancellor to freeze spirit duty.

Finding your niche: jive dancing classes, board game nights and comedy clubs are just three options pubs could look at

How can pubs create and market original events?

By Greg Pitcher

Events bring people into pubs. But how do you come up with original ideas, plan and market them for success? Three licensees share their insights into running successful, and unique, events

Euro block: European Union regulations have prevented a quarter of pubs eligible for Philip Hammond's discounted business rates from claiming support

EU rules prevent Government support to 7,000 pubs

By Stuart Stone

A quarter of pubs eligible for Government aid have missed out on assistance as a result of European Union rules governing state aid, according to figures from Altus Group.

Dropped: Greene King pulls judicial review into PCA MRO advice

Greene King drops PCA judicial review proceedings pursuit

By Nicholas Robinson

Operator Greene King has dropped its call for a judicial review into an MRO advice note from the Pubs Code, over four months after announcing its intentions to bring court action against the office.

Less tax: trade bodies including the British Beer & Pub Association and UKHospitality are calling on the Government to freeze beer duty in the November Budget

Beer tax to add extra £125m on beer spend

By Nikkie Sutton

A 2% rise in beer duty at next month’s November Budget would mean an additional £125m on what consumers are already spending annually on pints of beer.