Chicken shops gain ground as young consumers cut pub visits
Chicken shops are gaining footfall as younger consumers look for cheaper, more flexible ways to socialise, new data suggests.
Food Trends
1 in 4 UK adults taking or considering weight-loss drugs
Pubs and hospitality operators may need to rethink portion sizes, drinks ranges and menu language as GLP-1 weight-loss medication use grows, new research from Lumina Intelligence has found.
Food and drink trends you need to know for 2027
From smaller portions and hyper-regional cuisines to changing consumer habits, Bidfood has revealed the trends set to shape the on-trade in 2027.
Chickpea moves into retail with new deli store
West Country pub operator Chickpea Group is set to open a new deli, bakery, butchery and provisions store on the A303 in Wiltshire next year.
Foodservice price inflation persists as costs rise again
Food and drink prices across hospitality rose again in August, adding further pressure to operators ahead of the final quarter of the year.
OPINION: What every operator should know about the climate’s impact on food and drink
MCA deputy editor Georgi Gyton examines how climate disruption is reshaping food availability, pricing and procurement risk for hospitality operators.
NTIA warns inflation rise will squeeze hospitality
Rising inflation will add pressure to hospitality and night time economy businesses by increasing costs and squeezing consumer spending, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned.
Food for thought: why pubcos are sharpening their menus
Food is becoming a more deliberate part of pub estate strategy as operators tailor menus, formats and investment around different customers and occasions.
Marston’s launches Clarkson-backed pie across 498 pubs
Marston’s has partnered with Jeremy Clarkson’s British beer brand Hawkstone to launch a new IPA and beef pie across almost 500 pubs.
Pub market to hit £24.7bn despite seven closures a week
The UK pub and bar market is forecast to grow 2% to £24.7bn this year, despite continued outlet decline, according to new Lumina Intelligence data.
Supply chain remains fragile as food inflation surges
Food and drink prices in the hospitality sector rose by 1.8%, the latest Foodservice Price Index from NIQ and Prestige Purchasing has revealed.
Weight-loss jabs reshape pub spending
Pubs must re-engineer their food and drink menus as the use of weight-loss drugs reshapes spending on alcohol, snacks and meal sizes.
No small dill: Pickles taking the on-trade by storm
Pickles are having a moment in the on-trade. As pubs increasingly turn to bold flavours, the fermented favourite is emerging as an unexpectedly powerful menu driver.
How pizza is reshaping pubs one slice at a time
The unmistakable scent of fresh dough and bubbling mozzarella is becoming increasingly common in Britain’s pubs, as pizza shifts from a novelty to a strategic driver of growth.
‘People are still supporting pubs massively’
The MA’s Ed Bedington caught up with leading Michelin-starred chef and gastropub operator Adam Handling MBE to get his take on the week’s news.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Olde Coach House, Ashby St Ledgers, Warwickshire
The Olde Coach House reopened a little over 18 months ago when Freespirit Pubs took the reins.
FEATURE
FEATURE: Fuller’s pushes for quality staff at its new Kitchen Academy
From the outside, it looks like a regular waterside pub and until recently it traded as the Narrowboat near the centre of Reading.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Oakley Arms, Harrold, Bedfordshire
Local produce in tune with the seasons takes pride of place at the Oakley Arms in the village of Harrold in Bedfordshire.
What weight loss drugs could mean for pubs
The growing use of weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro is starting to have implications for the pub sector, with evidence suggesting they are influencing how often people go out, what they order, and how much they drink.
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.
FEATURE: What’s shaping pub food menus in 2026?
Last year was challenging for pubs.
MY PUB
MY PUB: the Merry Harriers, Hambledon, Surrey
Set within rural Surrey, the Merry Harriers is a great pub in an idyllic location.
Why are pub burgers so bad?
The humble burger has been a pub menu staple for decades, but are pubs being left behind on the burger front?
FEATURE: Four of the best – star pub chefs reveal secrets
A wave of star pub chefs is proving exceptional food and traditional pub values can go hand in hand – and drive serious profit.
Key food and drinks trends for pubs in 2026
Operators need to curate menus that offer comfort, adventure and tradition to resonate with consumers in 2026, a new report has revealed.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Milbury at Beauworth, near Winchester, Hampshire
The Milbury has been standing at the top of the chalk down known as Milbarrow Down, within the South Downs National Park, for 400 years.
Food inflation to hit autumn and festive menu planning
Food and drink inflation is set to bring challenges for operators during the autumn and into the peak festive trading period, hospitality purchasing company Lynx Purchasing has warned.
Pub chefs facing pressures over Christmas food supplies
Pub chefs could be facing significant pressures on supply and pricing in the lead-up to the busy festive period, which could see Turkey off the menu.
6 ways to make your food menu stronger
Name any fresh fruit or vegetable and there is a very good chance it first entered the UK through New Covent Garden Market (NCGM).
Is your menu up to date? Guide highlights bold flavours and global trends
Korean food, loaded fries and BBQ fusion dishes are all being tipped as the key trends for pub operators to have on their radar as the summer progresses.
Eating and drinking out ‘top priority’ for consumers
Consumers are prioritising dining and drinking out after a period of reduced activity, new research from accountants BDO has revealed.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Wildmoor Oak, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
The Wildmoor Oak is a site for those longing for good food in the Midlands.
Pubs reducing menus to boost efficiencies
Pubs are slimming down menus to boost service speed, cut waste and protect profits, according to the latest Lumina Menu Tracker.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Plough, Wombleton, North Yorkshire
Within the small village of Wombleton in North Yorkshire is the welcoming sight of the Plough pub.
The future of pub grub
Food trends, the importance of sustainability and consumer expectations were just three of the areas the Lock In team tackled in the latest podcast episode.
MY PUB
MY PUB: Heft, Newton in Cartmel, Cumbria
Set in the beautiful region of south Cumbria, Heft is the debut inn and restaurant of Nicola and Kevin Tickle.
Korean BBQ food brings ‘bold’ flavours to menus
Korean BBQ food can bring “big and bold” flavour profiles to pub menus.
‘No room for complacency’ despite drop in foodservice inflation
Food prices decelerated for a 19th consecutive month in January, but operators should remain cautious ahead of April’s tax rises.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Coach, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Anyone who likes great food will almost certainly have heard of the Coach in Marlow, which is operated by Tom Kerridge.
18 pubs retain Michelin stars but no new additions
A number of pubs have retained their prestigious accolades following The Michelin Guide Ceremony Great Britain & Ireland 2025.
FEATURE: Food trends
FEATURE: People still want to eat at pubs, give them a reason to visit yours
Whether you are a community pub with a value offer, a slick gastropub or a food-led operator, 2025 is set to be a challenging year for food operators.
M&A activity increases almost 30% within food and drink sector
Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity within the UK’s food and beverage sector increased by almost 30% last year, with the drinks segment accounting for a “significant portion” of deals.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Trout, Buckland Marsh, Oxfordshire
Located to the west of Oxford, the Trout in Buckland Marsh, is a dream location for those wanting to visit a pub on a river with little else nearby.
What will 2025 bring?
In light of the new year, The Morning Advertiser has looked ahead at key factors and trends set to impact the industry throughout 2025.
The Lock In Podcast
How to boost your business in January
The Lock In team take a look at how pub operators can boost trade in the misery months of January, with some extra special help from a rugby legend!
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Lamb Inn, Little Milton, Oxfordshire
Located in a thatched roof property, the Lamb Inn in the Oxfordshire countryside provides a blissful sight.
MY PUB
MY PUB: Victoria Oxshott, Leatherhead, Surrey
The Victoria Oxshott is a fine-dining pub-restaurant in a beautiful area of England.
James Cochran returns to Islington with new pub
Chef James Cochran is to launch a new bistro-pub venture in London’s Islington next month, close to his flagship 12:51 restaurant, which closed earlier this year.
OPINION
OPINION: I hope the Government has listened
I’m beginning to think hospitality and pub operators are the new bank of UK Government.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Windmill, Chatham Green, Essex
Whether you’re visiting Chelmsford Racecourse or fancy a great experience at a lovely, rural pub, the Windmill in Chatham Green would be an ideal choice.