But what were the big stories impacting the trade this month (April) 15, 10 and five years ago.
The Morning Advertiser (The MA) has looked back on some of the challenges and stories impacting the pub sector.
15 years ago
April 2010
It was an election year and April marked the lead up to polling day on Thursday, 6 May 2010.
Pubs across the country were gearing up to be polling stations while 90% of parliamentarians in winnable seats believed more needed to be done to support pubs.
Pubs were also impacted by the travel chaos and disruptions caused by the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland. JD Wetherspoon closed all but three of its 27 pubs at UK airports.
Drinking habits came into focus as more than 78% of 18 to 34-year-olds revealed they regularly pre-loaded and drunk at home before going out. The research blamed the availability of cheap alcohol.
Supermarket chain Tesco revealed it was targeting pub properties to open new stores. It was accused of targeting pubs in order to avoid complex planning laws.
And in a sign of the changing times, it was revealed that pub cash payments were falling with cash accounting for only 40% of payments in pubs – down from 90% a decade ago.
10 years ago
April 2015
It was election time again. In an exclusive interview with The MA Prime Minister David Cameron defended his Government’s record to the pub industry.
The MA also took a swipe at the Community Pubs Minister calling him a “Mystery Man’”. Two-thirds of readers were unable to name the minister and they were downbeat on the how useful the role had been for the trade.
The election stories continued as the UK Independence Party unveiled a range of policies for pubs including bringing back smoking rooms.
The owner of a pub, which was criticised for its risqué name told people not to forget that “pubs are supposed to be fun places.” The Cock and Seaman in Seaforth, Merseyside, was part of the 13-strong At Will Pubs.
Meanwhile some pubs were fined for Premier League copyright breaches. This was part of the biggest ever programme the Premier League was taking to protect its copyright.
Five years ago
April 2020
No election in April 2020 but as most of you will remember it was the year of Coronavirus.
UKHospitality (UKH) CEO Kate Nicholls told operators not to lose hope as pressure from trade associations had bought a package of support for pubs.
However, councils were accused of “letting pubs down” with the slow payment of grants.
And it was also revealed that 10,000 pubs were left out of the grant scheme as their rateable values were too high.
Admiral, St Austell and Greene King pubs offered click and collect groceries to sell staple items to their local communities.
With pubs being closed and a dire trading environment pub rent review negotiations were suspended until 30 June 2020 with the Pub Governing Body calling a temporary halt to ongoing and upcoming rent negotiations.
But it was not all doom and gloom as a baby was delivered in an empty pub in a ‘surreal moment’ for one pub operator.
