All news articles for June 2020

Positive outlook: operators have outlined their thoughts on reopening

It’s all about the customers!

By Ed Bedington

With pubs gearing up for independence day from next Saturday (4 July), The Morning Advertiser spoke to a group of operators to find out what it was they were most looking forward to when it comes to the industry getting back up and running.

No cost: the new guest Wi-Fi platform is free for the first three months

Sponsored content: Wireless Social

Track and trace without the hassle

By Ed Bedington

As we look forward to welcoming back our guests, are you ready to track everyone who visits you?

Pub discount: 'during this time we are committed to supporting our customers and helping them get back to business in a sustainable way,' BT Sport’s Bruce Cuthbert said

BT Sport to remain free for pubs throughout July

By Stuart Stone

BT Sport has announced that it will remain free for pubs and clubs until August – meaning partners will have free access to what remains of the broadcaster’s Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup coverage this season.

Why aren’t some pubs opening on July 4

To open, or not to open…

By Ed Bedington

Not all pubs will be flinging their doors open on Saturday 4 July, with many choosing to wait and see how the public reacts to the new situation.

Data collection: what can UK pub operators learn about customer data collection from approaches implemented in other countries?

Opinion

How are the world's reopened pubs and bars collecting customer data?

By Patrick Clover, Stampede founder

The Government's document outlining how UK pubs, bars and restaurants will reopen from July was notable for how many times it used the word 'should' rather than 'must' – especially on the subject of customer data collection.

Stable pub numbers: 228 pubs called last orders in the first half of 2020 compared to 235 for the same period in 2019

Pub closures ‘stabilise’ despite Covid-19 shutdown

By Stuart Stone

The latest figures on pub closures have revealed that the number of pubs in England and Wales calling final orders in the first half of 2020 remained flat year-on-year, despite the enforced closure in March.

Confusion: publicans were left wondering if reopening guidance meant they should restrict numbers to 30 people

No cap on numbers for pubs

By Emily Hawkins

Pubs do not have to cap their numbers to 30 people, The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial strategy (BEIS) has confirmed to The Morning Advertiser (MA).

Results in: the trade was split in half as to whether to open on 4 July or not

50% of pubs 'may not open on 4 July'

By Nikkie Thatcher

Half of operators don’t know or are not planning to reopen on 4 July, according to the latest data from a weekly survey.

Confidence project: Marston's said it is entering an uncertain trading situation when its pubs open up from 4 July

Marston's announces £40m hit to sales

By Emily Hawkins

Pub company Marston's experienced a hit of £40m to sales due to the coronavirus lockdown, prompting its chief executive to say he was uncertain about how its pubs would perform in the short-term reopening period.

Pubco process: “We have consistently taken a measured approach to all Government advice during lockdown and implemented our support procedures accordingly,

Ei tied tenants to get 75% rent credit for July

By Nikkie Thatcher

Ei Publican Partnerships has revealed a “support package” for its tenants, which includes rent credit equivalent to 75% for July and 50% for August for all tied publicans on substantive agreements.

How can small pubs operate under the Government guidance?

Big challenges for small operators

By Ed Bedington

While the news that distancing measures were being relaxed from 2m to 1m is being celebrated, for some operators, even 1m is going to be a challenge.

Changing times: the July MA500 is a one-off edition of the conference

MA500

One-off July MA500 agenda revealed

By Nikkie Thatcher

The Morning Advertiser (MA) is set to host a special edition of the MA500 conference this summer, as pubs begin to reopen and adapt to the changed marketplace.

Pre-launch funding: Young's has raised gross proceeds of approximately £85.5m with an additional £2.7m coming from retail investors

Young’s taps investors for £88.4m

By Stuart Stone

London-based pub operator and brewer Young’s Pubs has raised gross proceeds of £88.4m through a share placing as it prepares to resume trading.

State aid: the Government is supporting outdoor dining as part of its effort to help the economy bounce back from coronavirus

Red tape slashed to simplify outdoor service for pubs

By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government has introduced simpler licensing processes for outdoor seating for pubs in a bid to make it easier for people to safely eat and drink outside and in turn, help operators bounce back from the coronavirus lockdown amid reopening.

Trade resumption: the Ostrich in Bristol will be one of three Butcombe pubs to begin post-lockdown trading on 8 July

Butcombe to reopen pubs from 8 July

By Stuart Stone

Liberation Group owned brewer and pub operator Butcombe Brewing Co has revealed that three of its pubs will resume trading on 8 July as part of a staggered opening schedule.

Government guidance: outside areas in Scottish hospitality venues could reopen on 6 July

Scottish beer gardens to reopen on 6 July

By Nikkie Thatcher

Scotland’s outdoor hospitality areas such as beer gardens are poised to reopen on 6 July – nine days before inside use is to be permitted.

How do I serve the perfect pint of Guinness?

Promoted content in association with Guinness

How to serve the perfect pint of Guinness

By Nicholas Robinson

Being the granddaddy of beer, Guinness is held to a high standard by consumers across the UK who will expect their first draught pint of the world-famous stout to be perfect on their return to the pub. But what exactly does that entail?

How many spirits should my pub stock after coronavirus lockdown?

In association with Diageo

How to sell spirits post-lockdown

By Nicholas Robinson

What will customers want when the pub trade reopens is the million-pound question operators across the UK are likely to be asking as they prepare their sites for the first influx of socially distanced punters. And following a steady uptick in sales over...

Phased reopening: Shepherd Neame plans to resume trading at 40 managed pubs and at least 150 tenanted sites as soon as possible

Shepherd Neame to reopen almost 200 pubs in July

By Stuart Stone

Kent-based brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame expects to resume trading at least two thirds (190) of its pubs before the end of July, according to chief executive Jonathan Neame.

Safety measures: the Government has laid out a number of guidelines operators should adhere to for reopening

Gov reopening guidance

How to keep customers and staff safe when reopening

By Nikkie Thatcher

A stringent cleaning regime, rearranging furniture and keeping safe distances from each other are just three of the steps operators need to take to keep guests and workers safe amid reopening.

Swift clarification needed: the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said it will design a data protection system to guide pub operators.

Gov Reopening Guidance

Calls for clarity on pub customer data and NHS Test and Trace

By Emily Hawkins

The pub sector has asked for prompt clarification of how operators should collect and keep data from customers after the Government requested venues to do so in a bid to support the NHS Covid-19 contact tracing system.

Staff precautions: what does Government guidance for post-lockdown pubs say about staffing reopened venues?

Gov Reopening Guidance

How should operators manage staff in post-lockdown pubs?

By Stuart Stone

What does the Government's guidance for the post-lockdown hospitality sector say about which staff should return to pubs and bars from 4 July and how operators should manage their socially distanced shifts?

Support: $100m to help pubs and bars globally

$100m on-trade global recovery fund launched by Diageo

By Nicholas Robinson

Spirits and beer giant Diageo has announced the launch of a global recovery fund for the on-trade which will see $100m (£79m) of financial support made available to the hospitality sector.

Millions of pints: pubs should contact their water company to arrange the disposal of beer as soon as they can

Pubs advised to act fast on beer disposal

By Emily Hawkins

Water companies have encouraged pubs to get in touch as soon as possible to arrange the disposal of waste beer as the hospitality sector gears up to reopen next month.

Risk: all pubs must complete a coronavirus risk assessment before reopening

Gov Reopening Guidance

How to manage risk when reopening your pub

By Nicholas Robinson

Government guidance for pubs reopening from 4 July clearly states that businesses must carry out detailed risk assessments before putting coronavirus prevention control measures in place and opening to staff and the public.