Independent Operators

What's in the news 1 December

Review of the Week

Better Government leadership needed

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Fuller's CEO Simon Emeny to get his take on the week's events, from the Covid Inquiry to the death of a footballing icon.

Great relationship: Shepherd Neame acquires Ship Inn pub in Herne Bay (Pictured: licensees Alan and Michele Clarke)

Shepherd Neame expands tenanted estate

By Rebecca Weller

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepheard Neame has expanded its tenanted estate with the acquisition of a historic seafront pub in the South-East.

Hydes opens dining pub the Harry Beswick Wirral, Merseyside

Hydes opens £3.6m premium dining pub

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

North west brewery and pub retailer Hydes has launched its first new establishment in five years, following the opening of its latest premium pub dining venue on the Wirral, Merseyside.

Government needs to recognise pub community role

Pubs community role needs recognising

By Ed Bedington

The Government needs to recognise and support the important role pubs play in the community, according to the chief executive of a leading family brewer.

Charity champs: Chris Jowsey (right) with Jake Mills of Chase The Stigma

Admiral Taverns posts improved turnover and EBITDA

By Gary Lloyd

Despite economic headwinds creating a “challenging backdrop” for its licensees, Admiral Taverns has posted improved turnover and EBITDA figures in its 2023 financial year (FY23) results.

Oisin Rogers gears up for Devonshire opening

'The best pubs are chaotic!'

By Ed Bedington

Pub legend Oisín Rogers is all set to open his new pub project with Charlie Carroll, the Devonshire at Piccadilly, London

(image: Getty/Adam Gault)

Red Oak Taverns to acquire 17 St Austell pubs

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Red Oak Taverns is set to complete the purchase of 17 sites from St Austell Brewery’s leased and tenanted division, helping to further extend the former’s presence in the south west.

Development opportunities: TRG acquired by Apollo Global Management (Credit: Getty/Martin Barraud)

TRG to be taken private in £506m deal

By Finn Scott-Delany

The Restaurant Group is to be acquired by Apollo Global Management in a cash acquisition valuing the company at around £506m.

Improved outlook: Marston's reports 10.1% sales increase

Marston's sales up 10% as pubco reduces head office costs

By Rebecca Weller

Pub operator and brewer Marston’s has reported like-for-like sales in the 52 weeks to Saturday 30 September were 10.1% up compared with the same period last year as well as a £5m reduction in head office costs.

Record results: Jonathan Neame is confident for the future

‘Record revenues’ achieved by Shepherd Neame

By Gary Lloyd

Shepherd Neame CEO Jonathan Neame is confident “the turmoil of the past few years is now settling” as the company achieved “record revenues” in the 52 weeks ended 24 June 2023.

Hidden costs: Karen Errington of top gastropub the Rat at Anick outlines how rising prices are impacting her business

OPINION

'It's much harder to keep people happy'

By Karen Errington, the Rat, Anick, Northumberland

When I was asked to write an opinion piece on the issues that affect us in the industry today, it was nigh on impossible to write about anything other than rising costs and the struggle for us small businesses to stay viable.

Good timing: Bath Pub Company co-founder Joe Cussens (pictured) told the MA he was looking forward to doing something different following St Austell acquirement

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

'Good timing' for St Austell takeover of Bath Pub Co

By Rebecca Weller

After a “tumultuous few years’” in the sector, managing director and co-founder of the Bath Pub Company, Joe Cussens, told The Morning Advertiser (MA) it was time for a “new chapter” for both him and the business.

Hugely valued: TRG chair Ken Hanna to step down (Pictured: Brunning & Price site the Roe Deer in Wordsley, Stourbridge, West Midlands)

TRG chair to step down

By Rebecca Weller

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has announced its chairman, Ken Hanna, will step down.

Operator opinion: 'It’s quite depressing that none of the parties are offering any solution to the continuing UK labour shortages', says Brendan Padfield

OPINION

Batten down and call out Brexit

By Brendan Padfield, owner, the Unruly Pig, Bromeswell, Suffolk

As autumn beckons, sadly further clouds appear to be gathering for the hospitality sector. Many of our team at the Unruly Pig are not alone facing whopping increases in their mortgage payments from October to December, which will significantly adversely...

Array of experience: managing director of Boots Opticians James Arrow appointed as new Brewdog chief operating officer (Pictured: BrewDog's Las Vegas bar)

BrewDog appoints new COO

By Rebecca Weller

Scottish brewer and pub operator BrewDog has appointed James Arrow as its new chief operating officer (COO).

Celebration: Licensee looks back on her time at Lancashire pub

Licensee celebrates 40 years behind bar

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Licensee Lorraine Hewitson celebrated her 40-year milestone behind the bar at the Lancashire-based coaching inn the Royal Oak, citing the "extended family" of the community as her favourite part of the job.

Silver celebration: (l-r) Alex Arkell, James Arkell, Anne Andrews, Nicholas Tilt, George Arkell and Nick Arkell

Arkell’s toasts long-serving licensees

By Gary Lloyd

Wiltshire brewer and pub operator Arkell’s Brewery has celebrated the 25-year milestone of Nicholas Tilt and Anne Andrews running of the Duke of Edinburgh, in Winkfield.

A view to more rooms: Broad Street Townhouse in Bath, Somerset, pictured

Liberation Group to invest in more rooms across estate

By Gary Lloyd

Liberation Group will invest in expanding its accommodation offer after announcing like-for-like (lfl) sales on the rooms side of its UK business has risen by 14.7% in the first half (H1) of its current financial year (FY23).

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