W/C 9 March: Community
Ahead of continued discussion around loneliness and community connection, several recent stories have highlighted the role pubs play as vital social spaces across the UK.
Community hubs under threat
In Somerset, residents are working to raise £260k to save the 200-year-old Bell in Curry Mallet after it closed last year. Campaigner Chris Dale said losing the pub felt like “the beating heart had been ripped from the community”, highlighting how closures can remove vital places for people to meet and socialise.
Social value overlooked
Industry leaders speaking at the MA Leaders Club Conference last week said pubs must be more vocal about the wider role they play in communities. Jon Dale, strategic corporate affairs lead at Punch Pubs & Co and chair of communications at PubAid, described pubs as “the invisible glue that holds communities together”.
Research shared during the session suggested 62% of UK pubs support grassroots sport, generating between £160m and £300m in annual social value.
Tackling loneliness
Meanwhile, grassroots initiative Empty Chairs is using pubs as venues to bring people together and combat loneliness. Founder Dean Perryman said the campaign highlights the unique role pubs play in creating connection, adding: “The glory of the pub, especially in local communities, is you might know someone to talk to.”
What makes the ‘perfect local’
New research from Star Pubs suggests community connection remains central to the pub experience. The study found 75% of respondents view their local as the heart of the community, while 83% described it as their “happy place”.
Hance McPherson, head of licensee attraction at Star Pubs, said the findings highlight the importance of tailoring pubs to their communities. “The creation of the ‘dream pub’ needs to be a reflection of the community,” he said.
For operators, the message is clear: beyond their economic role, pubs remain central to social life in many communities.
W/C 2 March: Gender equality
Ahead of International Women’s Day this weekend (8 March), The Morning Advertiser (The MA) has spoken to senior women across the pub and wider hospitality sector, asking the same five questions on gender equality.
Across the responses published this week, several consistent themes have emerged.
Barriers remain
While many leaders said progress has been made, particularly in culture and awareness, several pointed to deeper structural issues around senior representation and progression.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “We’ve got so many fabulous women but not at C-suite level, and that’s just bad for equality and bad for business.”
Flexibility is central
Clear pathways, transparent pay and active sponsorship were repeatedly highlighted as essential to driving change.
Emma Heal, managing director of Lucky Saint, argued that flexibility must be reframed, adding: “Flexibility must be seen as a leadership enabler, not a lack of commitment.”
Progress is visible but uneven
Many leaders said the industry has moved forward in recent years, with more women leading pubs, breweries and hospitality businesses. However, progress is not consistent across the sector.
Jen Sloyan, chief financial officer at Valiant Pubs, said that while conversations around equality have become more open, representation still does not always reflect the talent available across the industry.
Inspiration across the sector
Leaders also reflected on the women who have influenced their careers, from mentors and colleagues to family members.
Georgina Young, brewing director at St Austell Brewery, said the shift in representation had been striking, adding she now meets “brilliant women across every part of the industry”.
Calls for action
Looking ahead, many leaders said the next year must focus on tangible progress, with clearer accountability around pay, representation and career progression.
Alice Bowyer, director of food and drink at Liberation Group, said: “Ideally, we’ll be measuring success through tangible outcomes rather than intent.”
Others emphasised the need for equality to move beyond discussion and become embedded in everyday business practice.
Charley O’Toole, chief of staff at Chestnut Group, called for “clear, transparent metrics around promotion, pay equity and retention to track real progress”.
For operators, the message is consistent: gender equality is not a standalone initiative. It is tied to culture, retention, leadership development and long term commercial performance.
W/C 23 February: Stout
Stout continues to outperform much of the wider beer category, but pricing, supply and competition are all shifting the landscape.
Pricing pressure
The average pint of stout reached £5.28 in February, with Guinness at £5.27, according to NIQ. Guinness has risen 16% since 2023 and will increase by a further 5.2% from April. Separate analysis from digital marketing agency Tank suggests even steeper increases in some venues, with a 31% rise in Guinness pricing since 2023.
Demand remains strong
Sales rose 7.9% year on year during the third week of the Six Nations, accounting for 18.1% of total draught volumes. Stout is gaining share during key trading occasions, reinforcing its year round appeal.
Brand momentum
Diageo’s latest interim results showed double digit growth in Guinness in the UK, with the brand gaining share every week in the first half of FY26, despite wider group revenues falling. Investment into Guinness production and supply is continuing.
Supply and distribution tensions
Some operators report restricted Guinness and Guinness 0.0 orders, although Diageo maintains supply is stable. Elsewhere, a London pub dropped Beamish following a dispute with its wholesaler, highlighting friction in distribution.
Challenger activity
Independent brewers are accelerating nitro stout production, with brands such as Anspach & Hobday and Titanic reporting strong growth as operators widen range.