Editorial schedule and features list

May 2024

1) Running your pub - supplier relations - closed​

2) Wine - closed ​

June 2024

Cider trends - closed​

July 2024

1) Sustainability - closed​

2) ​Premier League launch​

Publication date Monday 29 July, external submissions must be in by Thursday 18 July. Completed copy to MA by Tuesday 23 July​

The Euros have only just finished and the Premier League is set to start on Saturday 17 August.

Football is huge at pubs. We need to talk to pubs that specialise in putting on the sport on a regular basis so interview a couple or three to find out what their advice would be in screening the sport, how and when they advertise individual matches and what food/drinks/events they put on. Also look at what they do to drive footfall before a match – maybe a deal on food and drink or the opportunity to book a prime table in front of the TV, etc. And how they increase dwell time after the match.

Also ask providers of Premier League football what they advise for pubs too – Sky Sports and TNT Sports are the main rights holders but perhaps look into who else shows matches such as Amazon Prime etc.

Submissions to be sent to zngg@zrzljbeqf.pbz​​ and tnel.yyblq@jeoz.pbz​​

August 2024

The MA Top 100 Pubcos​​

Publication date Monday 26 August. No external submissions.  ​

September 2024

1) ​​Christmas​

Publication date Monday 9 September, external submissions must be in by Thursday 29 August. Completed copy to MA by Tuesday 3 September​

We want food suppliers, drink specialists, entertainment providers etc, to give pub operators advice on what they need to be doing now and what the end result would be during the festive season, which is when the majority of money is made in the on-trade.

Why should drinks range be increased or seasonal products be on sale? Why is it vital to get food in now rather than wait – could there be shortages potentially – and what foods must you get nearer the time? Entertainment experts – tell us why the setting up should begin early and what the goal should be for the Xmas/new year period?

Is there an operator we can speak to who is known for their excellent Christmas offer and get their advice on things others can do to make their site more welcoming and, most importantly, increase the bottom line?

Submissions to be sent to rzznrirefunz@tznvy.pbz​ ​and tnel.yyblq@jeoz.pbz​​

2)​ Tech – Reservations & bookings​​

Publication date Monday 23 September, external submissions must be in by Thursday 12 September. Completed copy to MA by Tuesday 17 September​

As attracting and retaining staff becomes more difficult coupled with the fact customers have become more tech-savvy post-Covid, smart pub operators are using tech to cut down on more admin-related tasks.

Here, we explore how pubs can manage table reservations through their website or over the phone, use tech to help reduce no-shows and a take look at the pros and cons of asking customers for deposits.

There are lots of suppliers in this space such as OpenTable, Resy, ResDiary, Access and Zonal for example.

Food-led pubs are more likely to use a system of this kind so we could include a case study or quotes from a few gastropubs to show their system and how another site could learn from them.

Submissions to be sent to zvpuryyr_creergg@lnubb.pb.hx​ ​and tnel.yyblq@jeoz.pbz​​

October 2024

Food trends 2​

Publication date Monday 14 October, external submissions must be in by Thursday 3 October, completed copy to MA by Tuesday 8 October​

As winter approaches, we find out what food items are likely to be on pub menus and try to find out what people were enjoying during summer and asking whether those foods could stay on-trend. We invite food-led pubs and suppliers to tell us what they will look to serve and what a pub thinking about putting on a food menu for the first time or improving its offer should be offering – advice for those sites is welcome of course! We may also want to run a recipe or two that look to use low-cost ingredients but will be a hit with customers, so perhaps a more snacky food and/or a main meal.

Submissions to be sent to svbanrynvartevssvguf@tznvy.pbz​ ​and tnel.yyblq@jeoz.pbz​​

November 2024

Spirits​

Publication date Monday 4 November, external submissions must be in by Thursday 24 October, completed copy to MA by Tuesday 29 October​

But what should operators be serving when it comes to spirits? We want pub businesses that specialise in spirits to tell us about their offer and how it can add to the bottom line of a site. Perhaps it could be a USP versus rivals in the area. Also what are customers demanding at their sites and does this change for the age range and the occasion or the season?

Can we get any statistics on spirits from insights experts? Particularly in terms of a deeper dive to see the differences in performance between different types of spirit varieties – and what the predictions are.

We also want suppliers to say why a pub should stock its product by explaining the advantages of it and how to maximise sales using it. Perhaps a supplier/producer can provide a case study of how a pub operator has used its spirits to its advantage?

Submissions to be sent to cuvyzryybjf@ogvagrearg.pbz​​ and tnel.yyblq@jeoz.pbz​​

December 2024

1) Drinks List​

Publication date planned for late November to early December depending on data gathering. NO EXTERNAL SUBMISSIONS​

In this feature, The MA breaks down the best-selling on-trade drinks across key categories and contextualises the figures and any emerging trends with commentary from key stakeholders.

Submissions to be sent to tnel.yyblq@jeoz.pbz​​

2) Low & No​

Publication date Monday 16 December, external submissions must be in by Thursday 5 December, completed copy to MA by Tuesday 10 December​

As Christmas and new year approaches, people may want to enjoy drinks and food at pubs and may want to enjoy low/no alcohol drinks for a variety of reasons including if they are teetotal, moderating their intake, being the designated driver, cutting down for January, etc. Submissions taken from those offering these types of drinks to pubs (on-trade) can not only say why their drinks fit the bill but why they are able to compete with alcoholic beverages and how pub operators should market them to get a better uptake. For last year’s edition, click here: https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2023/12/04/how-to-make-low-and-no-alcohol-drinks-a-focus-for-christmas​

Submissions to be sent to tnel.yyblq@jeoz.pbz​​