MA Leaders Club

Latest acquisition: The Piano Works concept is now in the Sarah Willingham-led Nightcap portfolio

Nightcap acquires The Piano Works

By Gary Lloyd

Nightcap – the operator of 46 bars under brands including The Cocktail Club, Barrio Familia and the Adventure Bar Group – has acquired live entertainment concept The Piano Works.

Single focus: Tim Bird wants a VAT reduction on food and soft drinks

OPINION

Are we asking the Government for too much?

By Tim Bird, owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns

The new year is now well under way in the hospitality business and with it I always feel an air of optimism.

Business anniversary: Urban Pubs & Bars is celebrating 10 years of trading this year

A look at Urban Pubs & Bars’ history

By Nikkie Thatcher

We’ve taken a look back at how Urban Pubs & Bars was formed and how the group is dealing with the current challenges facing the sector.

What's in the news 9 February

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

‘VAT cut would allow us to pay staff more’

By Gary Lloyd

The Morning Advertiser’s associate features editor Gary Lloyd caught up with Banwell House Pub Company managing director Toby Brett to get his take on the week's news, what he wants from the Spring Budget and gives a prediction for England v Wales...

Squeezed margins: importance of pubs getting lost in sea of rising costs (Clive Price pictured far right with one of the pubco's teams)

'Crucial role of pubs getting lost'

By Rebecca Weller

The “crucial role” pubs play in communities is getting lost in a sea of squeezed margins and undervaluation, Barons Pub Company managing director Clive Price told The Morning Advertiser.

What's in the news 2 February?

'I'm flabbergasted at interest rates'

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Camerons boss Chris Soley to get his take on the week's news, from government debate to interest rates and pub closures.

Company history: Urban Pubs & Bars was founded in 2014

Urban Pubs & Bars ‘poised for expansion’

By Nikkie Thatcher

London-based multiple operator Urban Pubs & Bars has reported an upswing in sales and turnover in its latest trading update and is eyeing further growth.

Loungers opens Pionero Lounge, Rochdale, Greater Manchester

Loungers opens 250th site

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Loungers, an operator of bars, cafes and restaurants across the UK, has announced the opening of its 250th site.

Positive future: sales up 11.5% at Fuller's

Fuller's sales up 11.5%

By Rebecca Weller

Fuller, Smith & Turner has reported like-for-like sales growth of 11.5% in the 42 weeks to Saturday 20 January 2024.

What's in the news 12 January?

Review of the Week

'I don't think beer is enough'

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Beer and Coffee gaffer Matt Crowther to get his take on the week's news from wages to drinks sales, and whether beer is expensive enough.

Saying goodbye: Pergola Paddington will shut for good on 21 January 2024

Incipio Group looks back on Pergola Paddington

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Incipio Group’s rooftop bar Pergola Paddington is set to close, but the operator has learnt and grown from the experience, according to its sales & marketing manager.

What's in the news 5 January?

Review of the Week

'We need to go to war on VAT'

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington met up with Oakman Group's Peter Borg-Neal to get his take on the week's news, from a knighthood for Sir Tim through to closures and Christmas trade.

Trading update: ACI has shown great resilience amid ongoing challenges, says managing director James Nye

Anglian Country Inns reports strong revenue growth

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Anglian Country Inns (ACI) has revealed a 25.8% uptick in revenue, partly driven by price increases to offset inflationary costs with the majority coming from a rise in footfall.

Admiral Taverns invests £250k into the Bush Inn Aberdare

Admiral Taverns ploughs £250k into pub

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Bush Inn, Aberdare, South Wales, reopened on Thursday 7 December after a major investment from Admiral Taverns of £250,000.

Lucky Voice looks to expansion in UK and US

Big Interview

Looking to get lucky

By Ed Bedington

“It’s not about singing well,” according to the king of karaoke, Charlie Elek, md of Lucky Voice who’s on a mission to change the perception of karaoke.

Alfi, pub with wines, opens in Spitafields east London

Wine pub launches in capital

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

An all-day ‘wine pub’ and restaurant has opened its doors in Spitalfields, east London.

The Black Friar pub Salford now under independent ownership

Team takes full control of historic pub

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Full control of a historic pub in Salford will be handed over to the team who have operated it for the past two years, making it one of the only independently owned pubs in Manchester.

Windmill Taverns celebrates 30 years of trade

'I was lucky!'

By Ed Bedington

As the McElhinney family celebrate more than three decades in the UK pub trade, the MA speaks to founder Jack, and son Ryan, to find out the secrets to their success.

Very positive: Loungers chief executive Nick Collins talks market strategy for next year with MCA (Pictured: Loungers Brigthside venue in Devon)

Loungers: ‘we’re very positive about 2024’

By Shwetali Sapte, MCA

Loungers plans to leverage the versatility of its offer, with a pipeline in place across multiple types of locations, chief executive Nick Collins told The Morning Advertiser's sister publication, MCA.

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