All news articles for October 2019

My word is bond: BrewDog has relaunched an alternative way of investing in the business

BrewDog announces new bond

By Nikkie Thatcher

Scottish brewer and operator BrewDog has joined forces with Crowdcube to introduce a new fixture income investment, which will be launched later this month (October).

Making waves: the Boat Inn chef-owner Liam Dillon always wanted to open a high-class gastropub

Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs

How to create an award-winning gastropub

By Nicholas Robinson

After just two-and-a-half years, Liam Dillon – chef-owner of Lichfield’s the Boat Inn – has established an admirable reputation for his Staffordshire gastropub.

Urgent work: Sometimes no one will be aware that a premises has been operating illegally for years

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Beware of insolvency complexities

By Poppleston Allen

We have recently been involved in several cases where the premises licence has lapsed by virtue of the licence holder becoming insolvent or being dissolved.

Not meating standards: the majority of people surveyed think vegan pub food is ‘average’

Pubs must improve vegan game

By Emily Hawkins

Consumers are not impressed with the vegan food offerings at pubs, according to new research, and the industry has been urged to up its game.

Double standards: the Kings Arms sits on the ground floor while the adjoining Popworld brand is on the level above

My Pub: the Kings Arms, Morecambe, Lancashire

By Simon Longbottom

Adam Hulme took over the Kings Arms as general manager almost a year ago and has seen it through a million-pound transformation. Here, he tells Stonegate boss Simon Longbottom what makes the pub tick and where he’d like the pubco to invest in its future.

Secrets to success: Stonegate has ‘grown up’ with 770 locations across the UK, employing 15,000 people

Five lessons from Stonegate’s success

By Simon Longbottom

Five years and 12 major acquisitions after chief executive Simon Longbottom joined the business, Stonegate Pub Company is on the cusp of becoming the UK’s largest pub operator. Here he reveals five lessons underpinning the company’s growth.

Entries open: the search is on for the best in the pub industry

Entries open for the 2020 Publican Awards

By MA Editorial

The leading awards for the UK’s best pub operators are getting under way. Does your company have what it takes to take home an industry ‘Oscar’?

Hey good looking: You don’t have to look any further than beer fonts and cans to see cool imagery

Spotlight

Why are historic beers being rebranded?

By Stuart Stone

Historic brands like Young’s, Hobgoblin, Old Speckled Hen and Spitfire have all been given contemporary facelifts this year – but why are beer industry stalwarts choosing to reinvent themselves?

Suggested serve: Corona draught still includes serving the beer with lime

Corona set to be available on draught

By Nikkie Thatcher

Bottled beer Corona is available in a draught format nationwide from this month (October) and the suggested serve includes a wedge of lime, on the side of the pint.

Local offerings: Mosaic currently operates 27 sites and achieved double-digit turnover growth for the year ending March 2019

Mosaic Pub & Dining: a picture of health

By Georgi Gyton

Having reached close to 30 sites over the past four years, MCA Insight’s Georgi Gyton met with the joint chief executives of Mosaic Pub & Dining to find out more about the pub operators’ growth so far and what the future holds.

Strong as an ox: an in depth look at why Oxford may be the place for you

Regional report

What makes Oxford a good place to own a pub?

By Michelle Perrett

Residence of many operators, including home-grown brewer Brakspear, Oxfordshire offers plenty to the on-trade with a growth in population on the cards.

Top dog: Craig Steele had taken early retirement but took the role of licensee

IN ASSOCIATION WITH LONG LIVE THE LOCAL

My Pub: the Dog Inn, Belthorn, Lancashire

By Gary Lloyd

A co-operative group took over the Dog Inn in 2015 after its closure. Here, Community Benefit Society member Yvonne Brown explains how board member and licensee Craig Steele has made sure this pub is no shaggy dog story.

Paranormal pubs: CAMRA starts off Halloween by revealing top 10 haunted pubs

Are these Britain’s most haunted pubs?

By Alice Leader

From ghostly tales to phantom figures, CAMRA has revealed 10 haunted pubs to visit this month to spark the Halloween spirit and intrigue even the staunchest non-believers.

Rates rise: operators can expect to see another increase in business rates

Pubs face £13m business rates hike

By Nikkie Thatcher

The pub sector could face a rise in business rates of £12.77m thanks to a 1.7% uprating for inflation, real estate experts have warned.

Encouraging performance: both Lounge and Cosy Club have continued to perform well says Nick Collins

Loungers revenue increases by 22%

By Stuart Stone

Loungers’ ‘broad, value-for-money proposition across multiple occasions’ has yielded year-on-year increases in both revenue and like-for-like sales according to its latest trading update.

Best booze: how do US sales match up against the UK’s?

USA v UK: What are the top tipple trends?

By Alice Leader

The trendiest alcohol pours in the US, show IPA as the leading beer style, cider growing in popularity and white wine being one of the top 5 products for women.

Peach of a plan: Hamish Stoddart wants to keep a healthy work-life balance for staff

Maintaining price point key for gastropubs’ future

By Emily Hawkins

Peach Pubs managing director Hamish Stoddart said maintaining accessible prices and competing against the lure of the stay-at-home economy are the biggest challenges for gastropubs.

Tip tackle: new bill enforces employers to share gratuities equally

Tip sharing 'another tax' for the sector to foot

By Alice Leader

Mixed feelings have been expressed after the Queen announced that employers must hand over all tips to their staff as part of a new bill unveiled in the Queen’s speech.

Prices sprout: Christmas dinner essentials to be in the inflation firing line

Costly Christmas warning for hospitality businesses

By Alice Leader

An expensive Christmas awaits catering and hospitality operators, according to Lynx Purchasing, as price rises kick in for many festive menu staples, including turkey and Brussels sprouts.