- Get tickets for the 2026 Pub Conference here
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Topics including expansion, evolving customer demands and mounting cost pressures will be just some of the areas discussed.
Taking place on Thursday 25 June at London’s Ham Yard Hotel, this must-attend day will showcase actionable insight while offering senior networking and relationship building for operators, investors sector watchers and suppliers.
Delegates will hear from top organisations such as Loungers, which has ambitious expansion plans, working towards a ‘conservative’ target of 600 sites across the company.
CEO Nick Collins will be discussing how the business plans to preserve its people culture amid its rapid growth alongside the operational headwinds facing the firm and wider sector.
Fellow multiple operator Urban Pubs & Bars has also been expanding at pace - acquiring 15 sites in the past year alone, currently standing at more than 60 venues across London.
Founder Nick Pring and managing director Chris Hill will share the vision and ambition behind the group, reveal how sites are empowered to build their offer around local communities and dive into how the senior management team lead a relentless focus on operational excellence, with buy-in across the business.
Staff are the focus on a panel session at this year’s Pub Conference. Punch Pubs group people director Laura Cavendish, Incipio Group people director Josie Adams, Drake & Morgan director of people and culture Chantelle Christie and non-exec director of Livelyhood Pubs, IOA Group, HJUK and Luminary Bakery Karen Bosher will share the initiatives having the biggest impact on team engagement and performance.
Community focus
Pubco Star Pubs recently revealed a number of investments it is making into its portfolio including more than £6m into outdoor areas.
Managing director Lawson Mountstevens will share what is driving him and the group’s operations forward, the resilience of the wet-led community model and how the firm is meeting mounting cost challenges facing the industry.
Community sites are also the topic of conversation in another session. Craft Union Pub Company managing director Frazer Grimbleby, Punch Pubs managing director Robin Belither and Amber Taverns chairman James Baer will outline how they are cultivating social hubs.
Elsewhere, a greater interest in a wider range of sports has resulted a variety of new formats.
Operators including Arc Inspirations founder and CEO Martin Wolstencroft, Marston’s chief development officer Ed Hancock, Kerb COO Andrew Stones and TNT Sports director of commercial customers Alasdair Collis will reveal the impact of these new concepts on revenue, dwell times and customer loyalty.
From sport to accommodation, pubs with rooms continue to gain traction as operators look to build new revenue streams.
Panellists RedCat Hospitality group chief executive Richard Lewis, Butcombe Group chief operating officer Jayson Perfect and Chestnut Group CEO and founder Philip Turner will lay out how they’ve seen success with accommodation.
The conference will also be home to an innovation showcase, featuring a selection of dynamic, up-and-coming operators shaping the modern pub experience.
Operator view
Ardent Pub Group founder and managing director Dominic Jacobs will speak on redefining the ‘gold standard of public houses’, curating a standout offer across food, drink and experience.
Meanwhile, Chickpea Group co-founder and CEO Ethan Davids will share the firm’s journey to building a collection of 12 venues across Wiltshire, with a strong reputation for proper hospitality and distinct pubs with rooms offer.
Elsewhere on the day, a number of family brewer operators will reveal how they’re tapping into their rich brand heritage while remaining relevant.
Robinsons joint managing director William Robinson, McMullen & Sons joint managing director Heydon Mizon and Everards managing director Andy Wilson will lay out how they are adapting to a shifting economic and consumer landscape while facing increasing business rates, soaring inflation and changes to inheritance tax.
Insight will also be shared by Lumina Intelligence’s Flora Zwolinski who will delve into the latest Pub Market Report, which explores how the UK pub sector is faring amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
She will cover up-to-date consumer habits, menu innovations and operator strategies driving performance alongside predictions for the year ahead.
There’ll be more data shared by Craig Rachel from AlixPartners as he explores the financial landscape for merger and acquisition activity.
He’ll also look at how consumer and structural trends are influencing the outlook for pub and bar prospects and deals in the short and medium term.
- Tickets are available to purchase here.
