Historic pub to close next month
A historic Stonegate-owned pub popular with students is set to close in September.
Stonegate Group
EXCLUSIVE
PCA: NDAs must not stop tenants speaking out
The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has said non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) should “not prevent tied pub tenants from sharing information with the regulator”.
Stonegate challenged over tied pricing, fees and repairs
The UK’s largest pub group is facing fresh questions over its Pub Partners estate after operators and a pub trade adviser raised concerns about tied product pricing, tie release fees and repair processes.
‘Information is power’: Stonegate probe centred on transparency
The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has told The Morning Advertiser (The MA) why pub conditions, rent projections and business development manager conduct are central to the investigation into Stonegate.
PCA launches investigation into Stonegate
The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) has opened a formal investigation into Stonegate’s treatment of tied tenants.
Stonegate’s McDowall: The estate will continue to evolve
Stonegate Group has ‘a couple of years of hard work to go’ but its estate will continue to evolve, CEO David McDowall.
Stonegate reports strongest first half trading in its history
Stonegate has reported its strongest first half trading performance in the group’s history, as its shift towards a more partnership led pub model continues to gather pace.
Stonegate: ‘No decisions made’ amid £300m pub bid reports
Terra Firma Capital Partners is reportedly among a number of prospective bidders preparing offers for part of Stonegate Group’s Platinum estate.
Inside Stonegate’s LGBTQ+ venues: protecting community spaces while driving performance
With today (Thursday 30 April) marking the anniversary of the bombing at the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho, we asked Stonegate Group about the importance of its LGBTQ+ venues to the business.
Stonegate steps up investment with 160 pub upgrades
Stonegate’s leased and tenanted division, Pub Partners, completed 160 development projects in the first half of its financial year.
Stonegate says partnership model driving resilience as FY25 losses narrow
Stonegate Group has said its shift towards a more partnership-led model is improving the resilience of the business, as revenue and profit declined slightly in FY25 but losses narrowed.
Stonegate reports ‘material uplift’ in profit margin
Stonegate Group has reported a decline in revenue for the 16 weeks to 18 January, but a boost in profits.
OPINION
OPINION: What is happening at Stonegate?
The news that Stonegate is considering embarking on a CCCD has been the cause of much discussion.
Stonegate repositions Slug & Lettuce sites under transformation strategy
Stonegate is repositioning a number of Slug & Lettuce and Be At One sites as part of its ongoing estate transformation strategy, with several venues moving into its Pub Partners L&T division.
Valentine’s Day 2026: how pubs are broadening their offer
Valentine’s Day trading in pubs in 2026 continues to evolve, with operators increasingly moving away from a single night, couples only dining model.
Where hospitality investment is still flowing despite sector pressures
Pub operators have continued to deploy capital through acquisitions, refurbishments and managed expansion in early 2026 despite mounting cost pressures.
Operators forecast tighter menus, clearer purpose and elevated comfort this year
Pubs are preparing for another year of tight margins and shifting consumer behaviour, but chefs say 2026 will be defined less by novelty trends and more by disciplined creativity, operational clarity and food that justifies its value.
Stonegate appoints advisers as it seeks to streamline business
Stonegate has appointed advisers as its looks to streamline its business structure in a bid to soften the impact of tough trading conditions and its £3bn debt.
Stonegate to inject £30m into L&T arm
Stonegate has planned to inject £30m into its Pub Partners estate in 2026 after spending £12m in the first quarter of the financial year.
Craft Union ‘consistently outperforms market’ as it reaches 650 pubs
Craft Union says its community led model is driving sustained trading momentum going into its tenth anniversary year, with like for like sales, profit and volumes all in growth.
Operators warn of tipping point on pricing as sector looks to sharpen its beer offer
Operators from Bristol and the wider region shared a mixture of optimism and realism at a Morning Advertiser roundtable last week, exploring how pubs can sharpen their beer offer in a changing market.
Stonegate confirms it is reviewing options for £1bn ‘Platinum’ pub portfolio
Stonegate has confirmed it is exploring options for its 1,000-strong “Platinum” leased and tenanted estate, following a report in The Sunday Times that Britain’s biggest pub group is preparing a £1bn sell off.
PCA data reveals wide variation in pubco performance
Tenant satisfaction with the UK’s major pub companies varies far more widely than headline figures suggest, according to new company level data released by the pubs code adjudicator (PCA).
Wet-led pubs show signs of stabilisation as younger drinkers return to locals
Britain’s traditional wet-led pubs appear to be finding a firmer footing after years of decline, driven by changes in consumer behaviour and smarter operator strategies.
Tricks, treats and trade boosts: companies tap into Halloween
Operators across the pub sector are preparing for Halloween 2025 with a mix of themed menus, family events and late-night parties designed to boost footfall over the final weekend of October.
Nigel Sherwood named as MD of Stonegate’s managed business
Stonegate Group has appointed Nigel Sherwood as its new managing director of the managed business, succeeding Carol Campbell who joined in 2024 and has stepped down from the role.
Stonegate to offload 23 pubs in portfolio shake-up
Stonegate, the UK’s largest pub company, has announced plans to sell 23 free-of-tie sites as part of a portfolio review.
Freehold of GBPA winning pub sold for £4.5m
Stonegate has assured trade will not be impacted at the Famous Three Kings in Fulham, London, despite the freehold being sold for a seven-figure sum.
Stonegate converts 200th pub as part of ‘strategic shift’
Stonegate Group has converted 200 of its managed pubs over to leased and tenanted and operator-led models, such as Craft Union, as part of its transformation strategy.
Stonegate sees 90% soar in sales from Lionesses’ victory
The UK’s biggest pub company Stonegate Group has reported a 90% sales increase in its managed sites during the Women’s Euros final.
Award-winning licensee to leave pub due to ‘crazy’ costs
An award-winning licensee is exiting one of his pubs citing the “crazy” costs of doing business.
Stonegate takes over Frontier Pubs
Stonegate has bought the remaining stake in Frontier Pubs, its joint venture with Pioneer Hospitality.
Craft Union: ‘We’ve kept our founding philosophy at the heart of the business’
Craft Union managing director Frazer Grimbleby explains how the pub operating model has tripled weekly sales with its seven-days-a-week, daypart-spanning wet-led offer
Licensees host ‘fortnight to remember’ as they exit pub after 12 years
After more than a decade at the helm, the operators of a West Sussex pub are bidding farewell with two weeks of live music events to mark their departure.
Stonegate set to axe 150 roles as managed estate shrinks
Stonegate has announced plans to cut a number of roles in a bid to reflect the decreasing size of its managed estate and tackle rising costs.
Licensees leave rural pub after just a year
The operators of a Lancashire pub are set to leave the site after 12 months of running it, citing rising costs as a reason why.
Craft Union celebrates 10-year anniversary
Stonegate’s Craft Union arm has marked a decade of business.
Slug & Lettuce brand turns 40
The iconic Slug & Lettuce brand turns 40 this month (May).
Stonegate ‘committed’ to future of historic pub
Stonegate has said it is committed to the future of historic pub the Hole in the Wall in Torquay, Devon, after publican Richard Rossendale-Cook ceased trading.
Stonegate praises resilience of British pub
Stonegate Group has praised the resilience of the great British pub despite the ongoing challenges faced by the hospitality sector.
Stonegate’s new concept ‘showcases diversity and depth of great British pub’
The UK’s biggest pub company Stonegate Group has launched a new concept that will house 220 pubs.
Rita’s ‘highlights how Stonegate is evolving brands and formats’
Stonegate Group’s six-figure investment into Rita’s Beerhall and Ballroom ‘highlights how the business is evolving its brands and formats’, boss David McDowall has said.
Stonegate’s festive trade performance ‘encouraging’
The UK’s largest pub company Stonegate Group announced record-breaking figures in its festive trading update.
Stonegate takes 2024 investment past the £100m mark
New openings and a multitude of revamps by Stonegate Group has seen the pubco invest more than £100m into its 4,500-site estate during 2024.
Stonegate opens Rita’s Beerhall and Ballroom
Stonegate opened the new cocktail beerhall themed site in Leeds on Friday 6 December.
Stonegate’s new formats ‘driven by listening to teams & guests’
The UK’s biggest pub company Stonegate Group has invested £150,000 into two new pub formats within its managed estate.
City pub reveals 'biggest free pint giveaway yet'
Stonegate has unveiled plans to give away 3,000 pints of Guinness next month to celebrate the opening of a new sports pub.
Stonegate announces new appointments
The UK’s biggest pub company Stonegate Group has revealed two new ‘significant’ appointments.
Stonegate invests millions into estate as guests look for new experiences
Following news Stonegate pumped another six figure sum into rebranding and refreshing its estate last week, The Morning Advertiser (MA) has looked back at the investments made over the past year.
Pubs 'don't have anymore to give' - McDowall
Stonegate boss David McDowall has added his voice to the calls for rates relief ahead of the Government’s budget next week.