Pub company Marston’s has confirmed reports that US-based Platinum Equity has made an initial approach to take the Wolverhampton-based operator private.
With a spate of pubs hitting the headlines for breaching coronavirus restrictions, The Morning Advertiser takes a look at the potential impact on licensees if they break lockdown rules.
Three quarters (76%) of business leaders would prefer to reopen their venues later in the year without any restrictions in place, a trade survey has found.
Business rates relief will be extended for Scottish pubs for an initial three months as Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been urged to enable a further extension for all pubs.
Searching ‘can dogs get Covid-19’ on Google yields about 3.2bn results. But rather than sift through them all, The Morning Advertiser spoke to David McDowall for a case study of BrewDog’s pandemic symptoms.
The trade has implored the Government to extend a sector-wide VAT reduction following suggestions there are no plans afoot to continue the policy beyond March.
Hertfordshire-based multiple operator Oakman Inns has outlined its plans for this year including a “substantial pipeline of sites ready for development” and the addition of a freehold venue in Harpenden.
Claims from local public health directors that hospitality venues are not a big risk of coronavirus transmission should come as no surprise, one trade body has said.
The latest round-up of jobs and people news from the pub sector includes JDW boss Tim Martin further reducing his company stake and an industry stalwart retiring after 45 years in the trade.
The number of hospitality shifts worked in 2020 was 47% lower than 2019’s overall figure – peaking at a 97% drop during the toughest months of the sector’s shutdown.
JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has dismissed reports that the operator is poised to launch a pub spending spree while Red Lion Holdings has purchased a majority stake in Red Mist Leisure
It's all about the money in this episode of the podcast as the team talk finances, and speak to grants expert Kevin Stewart to get his advice on how operators can prise the cash grants out of local councils. James and Heath also share their thoughts...
The pandemic is having an effect on many lives and businesses across the whole pub trade – one outcome of this could be pub acquisitions by investors with long-term confidence in the recovery of the sector.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been pressed to extend vital support for hospitality, after figures reveal the sector as the hardest hit by job losses once more.
Christie & Co’s annual business outlook report forecasts that the pub market’s recovery from Covid-19 in 2021 will be ‘pretty quick’ but varied as one-in-three operators plan pub sales.
The operator of 48 pubs across southern England and Wales reported that revenue for the 52 weeks to 27 December plummeted from £60m to £25.7m – a 57% dive.
By Gav Young, the Plough and Barleycorn, Isle of Wight
The whole industry has been led into viewing restrictions and changes from a purely fiscal perspective. In doing so we are missing the long-term devastation being wrought on the trade.
Like everyone else in the on-trade, Stuart Bateman of Lincolnshire-based Batemans wants to see pubs open ‘as soon as possible’ – however the Salem Bridge brewer isn’t buying into the idea of a Government witch hunt.
The owner of a pub which also boasts a zoo on-site has slammed the Government for not doing more to help the sector and said his business “wouldn’t be here” without its regulars.
Lockdown laws that give local authorities the ability to close pubs and other hospitality venues have been quietly extended by the Government until the summer.
Leaders from across the night-time economy have implored the sector’s staff, giggoers and nightlife lovers to take part in a Parliamentary inquiry into British nightlife’s dire Covid symptoms.
Almost eight in 10 (79%) operators have warned their businesses will only survive a trade shutdown until May with support from Government schemes, research has discovered.
While the Supreme Court ruled most business interruption insurance policyholders will have cover for losses due to coronavirus restrictions, which was hailed as a “massive boost”, it doesn’t necessarily mean everyone who had this insurance can be compensated.
Heavy rainfall has caused further anxiety for publicans in parts of England and Wales this month, with one operator estimating £10,000 worth of damage to his site.
Catherine McKinnell MP has written to Boris Johnson urging him to pursue a 'coordinated approach' with the hospitality sector after the PM appeared cool on the idea of appointing a dedicated minister for the ailing industry.
During 2020 a number of licensing authorities found themselves facing their five-yearly statutory duty to review their licensing policy, and consequently any associated Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP).
Pubs have been urged by business minister Paul Scully to ensure they are properly prepared amid changes brought about by the end of the Brexit transition period.
An international flavoured new product round-up features new brews created in tandem with beer makers in Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Finland as well as new distribution deals for an Israeli whisky and a Danish spirit maker.
The Government has not indicated the point at which hospitality will open when the country lifts from lockdown, but it is understood sector leaders and ministers are discussing what restrictions will be in place once pubs and bars reopen.
Loungers chairman and co-founder Alex Reilley expects the end of the lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratoria in March will lead to a 'phenomenal glut' of company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) across hospitality.
NewRiver-owned pub company Hawthorn has revealed that it ended 2020 with £250m of available liquidity and having more than doubled its planned Q3 capital expenditure spend.
A number of pub sector property experts shared their thoughts on recent news that former Greene King CEO Rooney Anand is to pump £200m into the UK’s ailing sector.
Legal challenges and opportunities come under the microscope in the latest episode of the Lock In podcast as the team are joined by licensing specialist Andy Grimsey from Poppleston Allen. We also tackle some of latest challenges facing the sector, debate...
