All news articles for February 2020

Worldwide problem: coronavirus has hit countries across the globe

Coronavirus

AB InBev loses £220m in revenue due to coronavirus

By Nikkie Thatcher

Global brewer AB InBev reported its revenue dropped as a result of coronavirus – this particular strain is known as Covid-19 – in the first two months of 2020, in its trading results.

Green shoots: Chris Drummond wants Good Things Brewing Co to take a lead on sustainability

Little Interview

Brewers can lead British industry on sustainability

By Stuart Stone

Good Things Brewing Co’s Chris Drummond explains how a new closed-loop brewery can more than treble its pub presence and that beer makers can lead other industries on green issues.

Team matters: there is a strong focus on training in-house and promotion from within too

My Pub: Moody Cow, Upton Bishop, Herefordshire

By Gary Lloyd

Turning around the fortunes of a failed pub is often more difficult than starting from scratch but that is exactly what licensee Chris Burgess did at the Moody Cow.

Crestfallen: it is hoped the dispute will be solved without reference to an archaic court (image: Jaggery, Geograph)

Resolution needed over JDW carpet row

By Emily Hawkins

A town council has said it is hopeful that a dispute over the design of a JD Wetherspoon pub carpet will be resolved without legal action.

Team goals: the new appointments will be instrumental in driving the business forward says Arc’s Martin Wolstencroft

Arc Inspirations makes double appointment

By Stuart Stone

Premium bar operator Arc Inspirations has appointed Laura Lewis as its new head of marketing and Tim Knockton as financial director in the hope of building on the ‘most successful year in the company’s history’.

Citrus hit: Gordon’s Sicilian Lemon is the latest variant in the brand’s gin portfolio

Gordon’s launches lemon gin

By Nikkie Thatcher

Diageo-owned Gordon’s has announced its new Sicilian Lemon gin variant, which offers “a Mediterranean twist on the original recipe”.

Fighting back: Anneliese Smith launched a fundraising effort to retrieve the pub’s takings that were stolen during a burglary

Publican’s daughter recoups stolen £3.4k takings

By Alice Leader

A theft of more than £3,000 worth of pub takings almost saw a hospitalised publican become homeless as the burglary threatened the pub’s closure – but his daughter’s fundraiser saved the day.

New role: Fiona Dickie has been deputy pubs code adjudicator since November 2017

Government appoints new PCA

By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government has announced it has appointed Fiona Dickie as the new pubs code adjudicator (PCA), a role that was previously filled by Paul Newby.

Sound choices: ensure your music is contained

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: don’t give anyone a reason to be noisy

By Poppleston Allen

It may feel a long way away given the recent storms, but spring really is just around the corner – it officially starts on 20 March.

Capital gains: London has more than 50% of all late-night levies

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Late-night levy changes in store

By Poppleston Allen

This year is likely to start with the arrival of another late-night levy. This time in Redbridge, where the full council will meet in a few weeks’ time to decide on adopting the levy.

Stricter regime: Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the new points-based system last week (19 February)

Petition for Home Secretary to redefine ‘unskilled’

By Nikkie Thatcher

A London restaurant has started a petition calling on Home Secretary Priti Patel to revoke her categorisation of the term ‘unskilled’ when it comes to workers from outside the UK, and oppose the changes to visa requirements for EU workers.

Know the score: the new £20 note is being released on 20 February

9 things to know about the new £20 note

By Nikkie Thatcher

The new polymer £20 note is due is being released into circulation today (20 February) and it has various security features that can help operators confirm the money is genuine.

Top tips: Marc Bridgen gives his advice on how best to market your pub

Guv'nor

Top tips on pub marketing

By Mark Bridgen, owner of the Dog at Wingham, near Canterbury. Kent

Using his experience from his pre-pub days, Mark Bridgen from the Dog at Wingham shares his suggestions on how to use marketing to your advantage

Bold but necessary: Sky vows to reach zero carbon target by 2030 – the legal obligation is to do so by 2050

In association with Sky

How are pub companies focusing on sustainability?

By Nigel Huddleston

Customers want to buy from businesses that demonstrate a good environmental ideology – here are four of the best pubcos that were finalists at the 2019 Publican Awards