W/C 29 June: VAT campaign gathers pace
Pressure on the Government intensified this week as hospitality leaders, operators and consumers united behind calls to reduce VAT from 20% to 10%.
Consumer campaign launches
Tom Kerridge officially launched the consumer phase of the #VATsTheProblem campaign on 1 July, urging pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels and bars to encourage customers to sign the petition.
Backed by new industry data showing one in six hospitality businesses are at risk of closure within the next year, the campaign argues a lower VAT rate would provide businesses with much needed breathing space.
Quarter of a million signatures
Support for the campaign continued to accelerate, with the petition surpassing 250k signatures the day after its consumer launch (2 July).
Operators are being encouraged to display campaign posters, beer mats and digital assets in venues as organisers target one million signatures ahead of the Autumn Budget.
Industry unites
Speaking to The Morning Advertiser (MA), Kerridge said a VAT cut would provide a “release of pressure” and help businesses survive.
Greene King chief executive Nick Mackenzie said the sector could rapidly create jobs if given the right conditions, while chef Paul Ainsworth said the campaign was about protecting businesses, investment and employment rather than increasing profits.
Tax debate widens
The VAT debate also broadened beyond hospitality rates this week after the Government launched a consultation on tightening VAT rules for online marketplaces.
Any additional revenue raised could be used to support business rates reform for high street businesses, with hospitality leaders welcoming the move as a potential step towards creating a fairer tax system for pubs and other operators.
W/C 22 June: Political change
Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation has sparked fresh debate over the future direction of hospitality policy, with trade bodies and operators urging Labour’s next leader to deliver meaningful reform on VAT, business rates and employment costs.
Starmer’s hospitality legacy
Starmer’s departure has prompted reflection on the impact of his Government on pubs. During his time in office, operators faced higher employer national insurance contributions, increases to the national living wage and wider employment reforms, while calls for VAT reform and fundamental business rates changes remained unanswered.
Reflecting on the outgoing Government, the Morning Advertiser (MA) editor Ed Bedington said it had “offered so much promise and delivered so very little” for hospitality.
Sector demands action
Following the resignation, hospitality leaders called on the next Prime Minister to make the sector a priority. UKHospitality, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and others urged leadership candidates to reduce hospitality VAT, reform business rates, address rising employment costs and back skills and workforce development to encourage investment and protect jobs.
Burnham’s pledges under scrutiny
Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by election has also brought his hospitality commitments back into focus as he emerges as the frontrunner to succeed Starmer.
Burnham has pledged to cut business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues by 20%, raise rates thresholds for smaller businesses and back a reduction in hospitality VAT to 10%, although industry figures continue to call for wider structural reform.
Brexit prompts calls for practical reset
Ten years after the Brexit referendum, operators said the lasting impact had been felt most through labour shortages, recruitment challenges and increased trade friction.
While the sector has adapted by investing more in training and apprenticeships, leaders said hospitality now needs practical solutions, including youth mobility agreements, simpler recruitment routes and tax reform, rather than continued political debate over Brexit itself.
W/C 15 June: World Cup trading boost
The World Cup has officially kicked off and pubs are already seeing the benefit, with early fixtures driving bookings, pint sales and bar orders as operators look to maximise one of the biggest trading opportunities of the summer.
England win lifts midweek sales
England’s opening win over Croatia delivered a major midweek boost, with pubs selling 5.7m pints of draught beer and cider on Wednesday 17 June.
Oxford Market Watch data showed average rate of sale was up 55.5% against a typical June Wednesday, while Dojo reported a 330% spike in bar orders when the final whistle blew.
Scotland fixtures drive local uplift
Scotland’s opening win over Haiti helped drive 12.1m pints of draught beer and cider across Great Britain over the weekend. The impact was strongest north of the border, where Scottish pubs sold an additional 87 pints per outlet and recorded a 52.4% rate of sale uplift on Sunday, despite the 2am kick off limiting the wider opportunity.
Bookings surge for home nation games
Pub bookings surged ahead of England’s first fixture, with Zonal data showing bookings up almost 300% before kick off. Major operators also reported strong demand, with Greene King receiving 5,600 bookings for England v Croatia and Stonegate securing more than 280,000 bookings across its estate for World Cup games.
Matchday experience becomes critical
Operators are investing in service speed, connectivity and customer experience as fans increasingly expect venues to deliver more than just a screen.
Young’s has launched click and collect ordering across selected pubs, while Sky Business research found 62% of football fans expect to connect to WiFi when watching World Cup matches in pubs.
Operational challenges remain
Not every venue has been able to capitalise on the tournament. A small number of Ascot pubs voluntarily chose not to show England’s opening match following police advice linked to Royal Ascot closing arrangements, highlighting the operational and licensing considerations that can come with major sporting occasions.
W/C 8 June: Estate moves
Estate reviews, acquisitions and refurbishments have kept pub property activity in focus this week, as operators continue to reshape portfolios, invest in key sites and test investor appetite for pub assets.
Stonegate weighs options
Stonegate said “no decisions have been made” amid reports Terra Firma is considering a £300m bid for around 300 freehold pubs from its Platinum estate.
The group said it continues to review options for the portfolio, which could include a refinancing, partial sale or full sale.
Whitbread disposals attract buyers
Mitchells & Butlers has exchanged on a seven-site package from Whitbread, with the venues set to be converted to either Miller & Carter or Toby Carvery.
The move follows Whitbread’s wider plan to exit its branded restaurant estate and focus on a more hotel-led model.
New ventures and buyback ambitions
BrewDog co-founder James Watt said he hopes his new beer business, Second Best, could eventually be used as a vehicle to buy back BrewDog if the opportunity arises in future.
The comments follow BrewDog’s £33m sale to Tilray earlier this year and reflect continued movement across the drinks and hospitality landscape.
Property investment continues
This week’s property activity also highlighted continued confidence in the pub sector, with operators investing in refurbishments, reopenings and new concepts.
The reopening of Dartmoor’s Ring of Bells, Heartwood’s latest refurbishment project, Hydes’ £1.5m investment in The Boathouse and significant spend from Star Pubs and Proper Pubs all point to ongoing commitment to community, destination and premium pub assets despite wider market challenges.
W/C 1 June: VAT pressure
Calls for VAT reform intensified this week as operators, chefs and trade bodies warned the current tax burden is putting further pressure on hospitality businesses already struggling with rising costs.
High-profile pressure on Government
Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge said he felt “let down” by Labour over the sector’s treatment, arguing operators are facing “crippling” cost pressures across wages, utilities, food inflation and business rates. Speaking on BBC Newsnight alongside Yotam Ottolenghi, Simon Rogan and Ravneet Gill, Kerridge backed calls for hospitality VAT to be reduced from 20% to 10%.
VAT campaign gathers pace
Pressure for wider VAT reform escalated this week after Kerridge launched the #VATsTheProblem campaign, calling for hospitality VAT to be cut to 10% in line with many European countries. The petition surpassed 20,000 signatures within 24 hours and is backed by trade bodies including UKHospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association and the British Institute of Innkeeping.
Kerridge said “VAT is the one thing that affects all of us in hospitality”, while UKH chief executive Allen Simpson described a VAT cut as “the single most impactful lever the Government can pull to support hospitality, jobs and our high streets”.
Children’s meals VAT clarification
HMRC this week clarified to The MA that adults can order children’s meals under the temporary 5% VAT reduction, provided the item is clearly marketed and sold as a children’s meal. The guidance confirmed operators do not need to verify the age of the customer for the lower VAT rate to apply.
Pressure reaches Parliament
The #VATsTheProblem campaign reached Prime Minister’s Questions this week, when Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield challenged Keir Starmer on whether VAT was a problem for hospitality. Starmer pointed to business rates support and the temporary children’s meals VAT cut, but Duffield later criticised the response as “inadequate”.
Biz rates confusion adds to tax debate
Wider concern over hospitality taxation was also highlighted after reports of a so called “nice pub tax” prompted confusion across the sector. The Government confirmed no new policy had been introduced, but operators said the row underlined wider frustration with the business rates system and the need for broader reform.
Petition passes 100k signatures
The #VATsTheProblem petition passed 100,000 signatures within its first three days, after exceeding 20,000 in the first 24 hours. Kerridge said the milestone showed the “strength of feeling across hospitality”, with operators urged to keep sharing the campaign ahead of its consumer launch on 1 July.
W/C 25 May: Hospitality jobs
Rising employment costs, recruitment pressures and growing concerns around youth unemployment have pushed workforce issues back into focus across hospitality this week.
Employment costs ‘must fall’ to unlock youth jobs
UKHospitality warned the Government risks pricing younger workers out of hospitality after the interim Milburn review highlighted the growing number of 16 to 24-year-olds detached from work and education.
The trade body said rising employer NICs, wage increases and wider employment costs were already reducing entry-level opportunities across pubs, bars and restaurants.
Community pubs seen as route into work
Plunkett UK said community-owned pubs, cafés and restaurants could play a growing role in tackling youth unemployment, particularly in rural areas where access to work opportunities is more limited. The charity said hospitality has historically provided an important first step into employment, but warned many of those routes are now disappearing.
Chief executive James Alcock said community pubs were helping “bridge the gap” by offering first jobs, volunteering and flexible paid roles.
Pub groups recognised for staff culture
A number of operators were recognised in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list, with businesses praised for apprenticeships, leadership programmes, internal progression and staff wellbeing initiatives.
Butcombe Group, Incipio, Urban Pubs & Bars, Drake & Morgan and Ardent Pub Group were among those highlighted for investment in people and workplace culture. The recognition reflects how operators are increasingly using career development and workplace culture as competitive tools in a tough market.
Workplace culture and retention
Pub operators are increasingly focusing on retention, training and progression as labour pressures continue across the sector.
Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns said it had maintained staffing levels despite rising employment costs, with co-founder Tim Bird warning businesses risk damaging customer experience by cutting teams too aggressively. “Technology can’t help us serve the customer well… it’s people that serve customers well,” he said.
Bird added that they are “recruiting in a big way”, while continuing to prioritise internal progression, specialist training and long-term retention across its estate.
Training and retention pressures intensify
New research from Dojo found only one in four hospitality employees remain in role beyond 90 days, while training costs across the sector have risen by an average of 70% over the past decade.
For pubs and bars, training costs were up 60% during the same period, alongside continued rises in energy, insurance and technology costs. The report warned businesses are increasingly investing heavily in staff who leave before that investment can deliver long-term value, adding further strain to already tight margins.
W/C 18 May: Weather, dwell time and summer trading
Operators have been reminded this week of how closely pub trading remains tied to weather conditions, with warmer days driving longer visits and stronger engagement.
Wet weather hits pubs
Pubs recorded their first month of negative like-for-like sales growth this year in April, according to the latest NIQ RSM hospitality business tracker. Sales slipped 0.2% year on year as cooler and wetter conditions impacted outdoor trading across Easter and other key periods.
NIQ’s Karl Chessell said pub operators would now be “hoping for brighter weather to tempt people out and stimulate spending over the summer”, while RSM’s Saxon Moseley warned many businesses are “working incredibly hard just to stand still”.
Pub gardens remain key
Research commissioned by Kopparberg found 45% of consumers believe pub gardens make the UK feel “summery”, while almost half associated evening drinks with friends with the summer season.
The findings underline the continued importance of outdoor trading, local social occasions and experience-led visits for operators heading into summer.
Kopparberg said pub gardens create a “huge opportunity for operators to drive footfall, dwell time and sales” during warmer periods, with the brand launching a £6m summer campaign focused around pub and outdoor occasions.
Longer visits help sustain spend
New data from The Oxford Partnership showed pub visits became longer in April, with average dwell time rising by 11 minutes year on year to 157 minutes. Occupancy levels also improved, while spend per head remained close to record levels at £26.89.
However, drinks volumes continued to decline, reinforcing the moderation trend across the on trade. Oxford Partnership CEO Alison Jordan said consumers are “engaging differently once they are there”, with people staying longer while drinking less.
W/C 11 May: Estate investments
A number of operators have shared big investments into their estates this week, including Little Door & Co and Butcombe Group, while others, such as Marston’s, have shared how upgraded sites are performing.
Butcombe Group
This week saw multiple operator Butcombe Group re-open the Brown Cow in Fulham, west London, marking the company’s largest single investment in the capital to date.
After undergoing two months of renovation and expansion into a neighbouring site as part of Butcombe’s £1.3m cash injection, the pub reopened to the public on Saturday 9 May as a significantly larger venue.
The venue represents the group’s next phase in a busy period of growth, with plans for investment in three further sites this quarter, partly due to the recent strategic refinancing of its debt facilities.
Little Door & Co
Little Door & Co has said it is now prioritising expansion outside of London ahead of opening its largest venue to date in the capital this summer.
It follows Little Door & Co, which operates five London sites under its house party-inspired concept, securing additional funding from alternative lender ThinCats earlier this year to support expansion.
The comments came ahead of the launch of The Little Neon Door in Old Street, which will become the group’s sixth site and biggest venue so far.
Marston’s
In its latest trading update, published Tuesday 12 May, Wolverhampton-based pubco Marston’s said its new pub formats were exceeding expectations as it steps up investment into the divisions.
Launched in 2024, Marston’s sports-focused brand Grandstand and split concept arm Two Door, were reported to be performing well, delivering like-for-like growth of about a fifth (20%) across the 26 weeks to 28 March 2026.
The business further highlighted it had invested £39m and completed 60 new format transformations during the period - ahead of the initial target of 50 for the year (31 Grandstand and 29 Two Door).
W/C 4 May: Results season
Results season has offered a clearer view of how the sector is performing, with operators reporting sales growth and ongoing investment, but warning margins remain under strain.
JDW sales rise
JD Wetherspoon reported like-for-like sales growth of 3.4% in the third quarter, with total sales up 4.1% as the group continues to expand in high-footfall locations.
Chairman Tim Martin said the business had outperformed the wider market for 43 consecutive months, though warned “substantial increases in costs” could leave profits slightly below expectations.
Greene King profit grows
Greene King reported a 9.8% rise in adjusted operating profit to £217.4m, with revenue up 3.6% to £2.5bn as it invested more than £219m across its estate.
Chief executive Nick Mackenzie said the performance reflects the “strength of our operating model”, but cautioned that “significant headwinds” remain as inflation and employment costs continue to rise.
Punch growth supported by acquisitions
Punch Pubs reported revenue growth of 9.4% to £184.1m, supported by acquisitions, estate investment and expansion of its Pub Partnerships model.
Chief executive Andy Spencer said the results reflected the “resilience” of Punch’s community-focused estate, with the business continuing to target selective acquisitions and growth through its predominantly drinks-led pub model.
Guinness demand boosts Diageo
Diageo reported 8.8% net sales growth in Europe, driven by strong demand for Guinness in Great Britain and Ireland, particularly in the on-trade. However, chief executive Sir Dave Lewis described performance as mixed, noting cost-of-living pressures have weighed on spirits sales in key markets.
W/C 27 April: Closures, disposals and mounting pressure
Closures have come back into sharp focus for pub operators this week, with new data, research and major business decisions highlighting the ongoing strain across the sector.
Human cost of pub closures laid bare
New research from Loughborough University highlighted the deep social impact of pub closures, showing the loss of a venue can disrupt local identity, social networks and informal support systems.
Project lead Thomas Thurnell-Read said pubs act as “informal community hubs”, warning their closure removes a key social anchor where friendships are formed and support networks exist.
Premises numbers continue to fall
The number of licensed premises dropped by 305 in the first quarter of 2026, equivalent to 3.4 net closures a day, according to NIQ data.
The figures mark a second consecutive quarterly decline, suggesting closures are gaining momentum. NIQ’s Karl Chessell said “soaring costs have taken a heavy toll”, with many businesses nearing breaking point as inflation, energy prices and subdued consumer demand continue to weigh on trading.
Estate reshaping gathers pace
Greene King has put 13 hotels up for sale as part of a wider estate review, with proceeds set to be reinvested into core sites. The move forms part of a broader strategy for the pubco that could also see hundreds of pubs converted or sold as operators continue to refine portfolios.
It reflects a wider trend across the sector, with businesses focusing on core assets, simplifying operations and reallocating capital to higher-performing parts of their portfolios.
Whitbread to exit restaurant brands
Whitbread confirmed plans to exit its branded restaurant estate to focus on its Premier Inn business, with around 3,800 roles at risk.
The group said the move would improve returns and create a simpler operating structure, but it also highlights the scale of structural change taking place across hospitality, with operators increasingly prioritising efficiency and long-term profitability.
W/C 20 April: Iran conflict, inflation and fresh cost pressures
Geopolitical uncertainty has moved back onto the radar for pub operators this week, with the ongoing conflict in Iran raising concerns over fuel, food and supply chain costs.
Iran conflict sparks new concerns
Operators and suppliers said there are no major shortages at present, but warned prolonged instability could lift costs across fuel, logistics, fresh produce and CO2 supply.
For many businesses, the bigger risk is another wave of inflation rather than outright disruption. UKHospitality chair Kate Nicholls said the sector is “directly exposed” to increases in fuel, food and logistics costs, leaving many operators concerned about another squeeze on already tight margins.
No room to absorb further costs
Trade bodies reacted to March inflation rising to 3.3%, warning hospitality businesses are already among the most heavily taxed sectors in the economy.
Nicholls said there is “no room to absorb further cost increases”, while the British Beer & Pub Association warned fresh pressures could threaten affordability for consumers.
What pubs need to know now
Industry figures urged operators to stay close to suppliers, review margins regularly and keep menus adaptable where possible.
Careful planning on promotions, stock commitments and lead times could help reduce exposure if costs rise further, with many businesses focusing on agility rather than long-term commitments.
Closures rise before latest shock
Hospitality insolvencies increased 22% month on month in February, showing the fragile position some operators were already in before the latest Middle East tensions.
RSM UK’s Saxon Moseley said insolvencies are “back on the rise”, with smaller independents often lacking the balance sheet strength of larger groups to absorb fresh cost increases.
Energy markets remain volatile
Analysts said wholesale prices have eased in recent weeks but remain above pre-conflict levels. Operators were advised not to assume lower prices will continue, particularly with gas storage, global supply routes and wider political tensions still in focus as businesses review upcoming contract decisions.
W/C 13 April: Charity and fundraising drive pub sector impact
Charity and fundraising activity has accelerated across the pub sector this week, with operators continuing to use their scale and local reach to support national campaigns and grassroots causes.
Stonegate raises £50k
Stonegate has raised £50k for Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) just 12 weeks into its partnership, with activity across its estate driving both donations and awareness.
CEO David McDowall said: “The level of fundraising and engagement we’ve seen in such a short space of time has been incredible, but it’s the conversations happening alongside that which really matter.”
Greene King’s respite breaks for carers
Operators are increasingly embedding charity into their business models, with Greene King doubling respite breaks for unpaid carers through its partnership with Carefree. Managing director Vincent Madden said the scheme offers carers “a well deserved break”, using excess capacity to support those in need.
Easter egg donations
Proper Pubs donated more than 21,000 Easter eggs to charities and community groups across the UK. Managing director Nathan Wall said the campaign reflects the sector’s ability to support local causes through collective action.
Charity impact at scale
Beyond individual initiatives, the sector’s wider contribution remains significant. Research from Punch Pubs found its estate generates around £4m annually in charitable contributions, alongside £1.7bn in combined economic and social value.
The findings highlight how pubs are not only supporting national and local causes through fundraising, but also embedding charitable activity into their day to day operations, from partnerships and events to ongoing community support.
W/C 6 April: Property moves
A wave of acquisitions, openings and investment activity has driven momentum across the pub property market in recent days, as operators continue to expand, reposition and strengthen their estates.
Strategic acquisitions
Young’s has agreed to acquire Cubitt House, adding eight premium London pubs and a further site in development as it continues to expand in the capital. CEO Simon Dodd said the sites “align perfectly with our strategy to selectively expand our business”, reinforcing a focus on affluent, high performing locations.
Scaling new concepts
Apprentice candidate Priyesh Bathia is set to open a third Elephant & Barrel site in Stockwell, as the group builds towards a scalable national pub business. The £495k investment will deliver a community led, wet led offer combining British and Indian menus. Bathia said: “Each site is a real local… we have big plans for the brand but are taking expansion steadily.”
Portfolio repositioning
Punch Pubs & Co has acquired eight community pubs from RedCat Hospitality as part of its ongoing investment strategy. CEO Andy Spencer said: “Each pub represents an opportunity to invest, innovate, and inspire,” as the business continues to target high quality, community focused sites.
Investment and redevelopment
Across the wider market, operators continue to invest in upgrading and repositioning sites. Beautiful Pubs Collective is reopening The Old Horse in Leicester following a £1m redevelopment, while multiple refurbishments, acquisitions and openings highlight ongoing confidence in both community pubs and destination led formats. Founder Sam Hagger said the project reflects “one of our most ambitious redevelopments to date”.
W/C 30 March: Wage and tax changes
A series of cost and policy changes came into force this week (1 April), increasing pressure on pub operators across wages, taxation and employment law.
Biz rates rise
Business rates bills have increased from 1 April, with total UK receipts forecast to rise by £3.4bn. The removal of relief and new valuation cycle mean most pubs will face higher bills, with some estimates suggesting average increases of up to 78%.
Wage increases take effect
The national living wage has risen to £12.71, adding around £900 a year per full-time employee. Operators warned the cumulative impact is significant, with hospitality facing an estimated £1.4bn increase in wage costs.
Barons Pub Company managing director Clive Price said: “It is not the Government that pay the wages, it is businesses.”
Jobs and investment at risk
New survey data suggests the cost increases could have wider consequences across the sector. Around 64% of operators said they may cut jobs, while more than half could cancel investment plans and 42% may reduce trading hours.
Trade bodies warned the combined impact risks “more lost jobs, less investment and business closures”.
Employment law changes ahead
Further cost and compliance pressures are expected, with changes to statutory sick pay coming into force next week (6 April). Employees will become eligible from day one of sickness, increasing employer liability and enforcement scrutiny.
Operators have been urged to review policies and prepare for a more proactive regulatory environment.
W/C 23 March: Publican Awards shine a light on sector
Record-breaking attendance
The hospitality sector came together to celebrate the best in the business on Wednesday 25 March 2026.
More than 1,500 people were in attendance at the event - a record-breaking number of guests in the 35 years since the awards began.
Held at Evolution in Battersea, London, the glittering ceremony was hosted by TV and radio star Rylan.
Best in the business
Some 17 gongs were up for grabs across a wide range of categories.
Two firms scooped a double win this year – London operator Urban Pubs & Bars took the title of Best Food Offer and Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites) while Cornwall-based St Austell was named Best Sustainable Pub Company and Best Managed Pub Company (2 to 50 sites).
Elsewhere, Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars was presented with the Best Drinks Offer trophy for the third time and Hickory’s Smokehouse was awarded Best Operations Team.
Other winners included Greene King, which was named Best Partnership Pub Company (501+ sites), while Laine Pub Company took the title of Best Partnership Pub Company (under 500 sites) for the second time.
In addition, North-west brewery boss William Lees-Jones of JW Lees was named Business Leader of the Year.
Social media highlights
Winners and attendees took to social media to share their highlights from the event, did your post make our round-up? Read more here.
Party pics
As the ceremony drew to a close, there was still time to party and our snappers were on hand to capture the celebration in all its glory.
Have you made it into our comprehensive line-up of party-loving people? Read more here.
W/C 16 March: Consumer behaviour
Key trading dates
Operators reported positive trading this Mother’s Day (Sunday 16 March) with some achieving record results.
Consumers are continuing to visit the on-trade earlier in the day while some were more cautious with ordering.
The weekend also saw pubs mark St Patrick’s Day early with celebrations including live music, themed menus and promotional offers.
Next generation
Pubs were advised to prepare for the habits and expectations of Generation Alpha (those born between 2010 and 2025).
Attest head of strategic research Nicholas White told delegates at The Morning Advertiser‘s MA Leaders Club conference earlier this month (4 March) as this cohort is growing up in a far more digitally connected environment, operators will not only compete against other venues but also with home entertainment platforms and gaming environments.
He advised that gaming nights, interactive formats and more immersive experiences could become increasingly important in encouraging this demographic into venues as they get older.
Dwell time
Hospitality customers spent longer in pubs - around 2.5 hours per visit - but kept spending low, data from Oxford partnership found, reflecting ongoing post-Christmas caution and a focus on value.
Despite this increased dwell time, operators aren’t seeing proportional rises in average spend as wider economic pressures and price sensitivity continue to shape behaviour across the sector.
Sporting success
Football matchdays deliver a £2.3bn boost to pubs in the UK and local economies, according to figures from Barclays.
The research found spending within 1km of football stadium rises by an average of 4.1% on matchdays compared with non matchdays with pubs, cafés and restaurants among the businesses benefitting from increased footfall.
Looking ahead, it’s clear consumers are arriving earlier, staying longer and spending more cautiously while the next generation will demand richer, more immersive experiences and with sport still delivering powerful spikes in footfall, the challenge remains to turn these shifting behaviours into sustainable, year-round growth.
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.