The Inspiration for Pub Success Since 1794
Beer, cider and wine producers came together last week and The Morning Advertiser asked them about how on-trade drinks are faring, routes to market and what the Government can do to help.
When it comes to engaging with a community, sport has a lot of ‘cut-through’ and, when done correctly, can gain great results for any pub.
Whether it’s a lust for traditional beer styles or customers chasing low & no ciders, the trends in both categories are pretty varied according to those making such products for the on-trade.
Six incredible pubs have been named as finalists in this year’s Licensee of the Year Award (LOYA).
Giving people a reason to get out to the pub has never been more important, so the Lock In team take a look at some of the wild, wacky and traditional ideas for pulling in the punters.
FEATURE
Every four years hopes outweigh expectations at the thought of a glorious World Cup campaign resulting in football finally coming home.
FEATURE
Most pubs and bars earn the majority of their income on Fridays and Saturdays but that isn’t enough for many.
Welcome to the latest update of Avani Solutions managing director Amanda Thomson’s Hospitality Rides five-day cycle challenge across Vietnam.
Government plans to ensure pubs embrace a ‘Quiet Hour’ once a day are set to come into force immediately in a move it claims will be a major boost for operators.
PUBLICAN AWARDS 2026
On the biggest night of the year for the industry, The Publican Awards – often referred to as the pub Oscars – did not disappoint last week.
PUBLICAN AWARDS 2026
As more than 1,500 guests flocked to The Publican Awards last week, we had a quick chat with a few of the operators and trade body representatives.
PUBLICAN AWARDS 2026
As The Publican Awards ceremony drew to a close, there was still time to party.
The return of Tyson Fury to the boxing ring is a great chance to increase footfall and takings at your pub or bar.
Operators should start adapting now for Generation Alpha, with food, digital convenience and immersive experiences likely to play a bigger role in future venue strategy.
MA LEADERS CLUB
Inception Group co-founder Charlie Gilkes has hailed the “incredible opportunities” available for sector bosses looking for sites.
Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars and Common & Co have scooped Special Achievement Awards at the Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) trade show in Manchester.
MA LEADERS CLUB
Joule’s Brewery taphouses’ customers are demanding great value so while prices need to be low, the quality of what they receive must be excellent.
MA LEADERS CLUB
“VAT is top of the list for many people in this room” was the viewpoint of Butcombe Group COO Jayson Perfect at the latest MA Leaders Club gathering.
FA Cup football has brought plenty of customers to pubs – particularly in places where football giant-killings have taken place.
GOOD NEWS ROUND-UP
We acknowledge the sector is facing an extremely tough time with challenges left, right and centre.
As sport continues to drive trade in many pubs, publicans may be wise to sign up to TNT Sports after the broadcaster announced it will show 26 FA Cup matches in 10 days this month.
Weather warnings have been issued up and down the country as snow falls and temperatures plummet.
Tom Kerridge is no longer involved with Pub in the Park after confirming the festival was ‘no longer heading in the same direction’ as his vision for the event.
FEATURE
Amid changing consumer habits and rising overheads, pub teams are getting more creative to pull in customers with paint and fizz, craft clubs, murder-mystery events and much more.
Pubs and brewers across the UK are marking Remembrance Day by reaffirming their support for veterans and serving military personnel, as the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) officially signs the Armed Forces Covenant.
Meantime Brewing Company and KG Hospitality launched their new venue – the Dial – next door to The O2 arena following a “significant seven-figure investment”.
Head chef and co-proprietor of the Black Bull gastropub in Cumbria – Nina Matsunaga – has been named Chef of the Year at the Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) awards.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has announced its four finalists as the best pubs in the UK while imploring the Government to treat pubs fairly in the upcoming Budget.
GREAT BRITISH PUB AWARDS 2025
The Great British Pub Awards is the pinnacle for pubs across the country – here’s a video showing what some of the winners had to say.
The pub sector has faced a raft of challenges over recent years and never more so than the current climate.
Pubs can expect to see a huge slice of a £30m spend from football fans as England’s football Lionesses take part in the quarter finals stage of the European Championship.
Is the pub crawl a thing of the past, or alive and well? In the season five finale, The Lock In team get their drinking boots on to investigate.
MA LEADERS CLUB
Chester was the destination of the MA Leaders Club earlier this month, and a panel of operators highlighted how the city is a good place to trade.
MA LEADERS CLUB
There have been no shortage of pubs finding it difficult to gain investment and the MA Leaders Club brought some lending experts together to discuss the scenario.
MA LEADERS CLUB
An expert panel including operators from Chickpea Group, Blind Tiger Inns and a property director from Punch Pubs came together to give sage advice to members of the MA Leaders Club in Chester.
Punch Pubs’ refinancing deal shows the financial strain on the sector, financial experts have said, though the pubco remained positive.
The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has unveiled the six finalists for this year’s Licensee of the Year Award (LOYA).
Pub operators remain overwhelmingly underwhelmed by the Government decision to extend licensing hours to celebrate VE day.
Entries for the 2025 Great British Pub Awards (GBPA) will close later today (Tuesday May 6).
Pubs have always been at the heart of their communities, but some go above and beyond to make a real difference.
The Morning Advertiser popped its beer (and cider) jeans on to visit BrewLDN festival on Friday (11 April) to find out what is trending currently.
Will Rice entered the world of work through the graduate programme at L’Oreal, on its commercial management trainee scheme, before spending two years as the national account manager to Tesco.
Operators shared why they felt fostering community within pubs is important and how this could help unite people in the on trade.
The extensive project included a revamped menu emphasising produce from their kitchen garden and local farms.
A community-owned pub support group is in immediate need of volunteer help to reopen in the summer.
Hospitality businesses are facing a substantial financial blow today (Tuesday 1 April), with annual cost increases totalling £3.4bn coming into effect.
A milestone was marked at Shepherd Neame’s Westminster Arms site with its official reopening on Tuesday 25 March.
Sales surged in on-premise venues and suppliers experienced robust growth in drinks sales during March
Operators have expressed their fears for the industry following the Chancellor’s announcements last Wednesday.
Loungers has hit a milestone achievement and opened Rivolo Lounge in Norwich.