All news articles for November 2019

From the ashes: Ye Olde Six Bells in Horley to reopen

Fire damaged Vintage Inns pub to reopen

By Nicholas Robinson

Historic Vintage Inns pub the Ye Olde Six Bells in Horley, Surrey, is to reopen on 6 December after being severely damaged and closed by a fire in the spring.

Billy Spong with M&B colleague Caroline Davies after LTC awards win in 2017

Little Interview

Isolated operator in his 60s gains a friendly lifeline

By Nicholas Robinson

The Morning Advertiser, in association with the Licensed Trade Charity, is exploring the help available to those in the trade who are facing various issues. In our first piece, M&B employee relations manager Billy Spong explains how he's helping...

Cider comeback: CGA's Paul Bolton explores how to drive the cider category forward

Drink Tank

What can turn the cider lull around?

By Alice Leader

What's threatening the cider category? Why is it in decline? How can the category be elevated? CGA’s senior client manager, Paul Bolton, tells all at The Morning Advertiser’s Drink Tank.

Saturated market: the landscape of new drink products is competitive and brands must keep up according to Jonny Jones, director of client services at CGA

Drink Tank

Drink suppliers must 'innovate or die'

By Emily Hawkins

Drink producers must innovate with new drinks to ensure they are stocked in the on-trade as the market becomes saturated with fresh products, according to Jonny Jones, director of client services at CGA.

Managed expectations: Ei Group's James Croft sets out his plans for the future

Big Interview

Ei Group eyes 100 managed sites a year

By Nicholas Robinson

With a growing portfolio of managed businesses under its belt, how does Ei Group strategy and retail director James Croft view the future?

Paying tribute: people from across the pub trade have outlined their memories of Gary Rhodes

Pub industry pays tribute to Gary Rhodes

By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub chefs, licensees and a trade body have paid tribute to celebrity chef Gary Rhodes, following the sad news that he died this week (26 November) in Dubai.

Consumer change: craft beer has also see a shift in drinkers of late

Drink Tank

Craft beer sales drop

By Nikkie Thatcher

The craft beer sector has seen an overall drop in volume sales, pulled down by packaged products, despite a growth in draught, data has revealed.

Top dog: BrewDog Punk IPA is the pub trade's best-selling craft beer for a second year in a row

Drinks list 2020

BrewDog Punk IPA sales increase by 19.7%

By Stuart Stone

BrewDog’s Punk IPA is still top dog when it comes to on-trade craft beer according to The Morning Advertiser’s latest Drinks List after both its volume and value increased by almost a fifth, year on year.

Puppy love: Jayne Tilsey of the Fox & Hounds, which was named Dog-friendly Pub Awards overall winner

Dog-friendly pub leads the way

By Alice Leader

The Fox & Hounds has been crowned the most dog-friendly pub in Britain, offering a warm welcome with special touches for canine companions.

Overwhelming support: despite concerns over spending money on political matters, shareholders voted to keep Tim Martin

Tim Martin wins re-election battle at JDW

By Alice Leader

Despite corporate governance warnings, Tim Martin has been backed in a re-election to the position of executive chairman at JD Wetherspoon.

Crunching the numbers: an in-depth look at the best performing brands and variants in every beverage category in the on-trade

Drinks list 2020

The Drinks List: Top Brands to Stock 2020

By Nicholas Robinson

Getting to grips with data in The Morning Advertiser’s Drinks List 2019 will give operators a head start in formulating successful drinks menus.

Cut the red tape: groups want politicians to look into making the process of buying a community pub easier

Community pubs plea for recognition in election

By Emily Hawkins

Many community pubs act as a lifeline for residents of rural areas with little else around them. Ahead of the general election on 12 December, The Morning Advertiser asked the volunteers and publicans behind the bar at these sites what they would say...

Inauspicious start: while Amazon is arguably too big to fail here, leaving publicans out in the cold feels like an unnecessary misstep, according to Dom Collingwood (L)

My Shout

Amazon needs to be transparent for pubs to use services

By Dom Collingwood

It’s not been the most encouraging entry to the market from Amazon with a dearth of information and a disappointing lack of transparency, says Matchpint co-founder Dom Collingwood.

Rum’s the word: while the overall rum market only grew marginally, excitement surrounds the category for 2020

Rum set to be next big spirit in 2020

By Nikkie Thatcher

Sales of dark and golden rums are on the rise as in the 12 months to June 2019, dark rums were worth £127m and golden rums £383m, according to a new report.

Extra presents: publicans can expect their pubs to be busier than usual this Christmas

Early Xmas celebrations could bump up sales

By Alice Leader

Christmas could come early this year as Brits get into the festive spirit, starting their celebrations before they normally would, according to CGA analysis.

Noise complaints: representations must be honest

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Legal Q&A: Lapse of licence, bankruptcy and extension of hours

By Poppleston Allen

The latest legal Q&A from specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen covers lapse of licence, the impact of bankruptcy on a licence and applications for extended hours.

Party time: don't let Christmas revellers spoil the fun

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: dealing with unpredictable customers

By Poppleston Allen

At this time of year, it is worthwhile reminding operators that Christmas and new year attract office parties and celebrations that will likely take place at licensed premises.

Award winner: Ian Payne's support to the industry is recognised

Stonegate chairman scores Industry Icon award

By Alice Leader

Stonegate Pub Company chairman Ian Payne has scooped the CGA Peach Industry Icon at the 2019 Hero and Icon Awards for his lasting and positive contribution to the sector.

Making waves: Hawthorn Leisure is ready to invest a further £3m in its pub portfolio, according to CEO Mark Davies (left) and CFO Matthew Ward

Hawthorn Leisure plans £3m investment in pub estate

By Stuart Stone

NewRiver REIT’s pub arm, Hawthorn Leisure, is poised to ramp up investment in its pub portfolio to the tune of “at least £3m” in the next six to 12 months, according to CEO Mark Davies.