Docks Beers unveils major expansion plans in Grimsby
Docks Beers has submitted plans for a major expansion of its Grimsby brewery site, including a new food hall and 585sq m events space.
Investments
Market Taverns targets estate-wide investment as growth plans accelerate
Market Taverns plans to invest across all 14 of its London pubs over the next 12 months as the group shifts from maintenance-led capex towards larger transformational projects.
Pub People ramps up wet-led investment as acquisition hunt resumes
Pub People Company is increasing its focus on drinks led investment, competitive socialising and acquisitions as it looks to strengthen returns across its near 40 strong estate.
Chris Jowsey: ‘If you don’t invest, you go backwards’
Admiral Taverns will increase capital investment to £38.4m in FY27, with CEO Chris Jowsey saying the group would invest even more if the tax and regulatory environment improved.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
PROPERTY: Inside Loungers first international site in Germany
This property round-up includes updates from Loungers, Flight Club, Young’s, Castle Pubs, and more.
EXCLUSIVE: Admiral Taverns acquires Mountain Pub Company’s entire estate
Admiral Taverns has acquired Mountain Pub Company from specialist investment manager Downing.
Amber Taverns invests six figures in Alloa pub
Amber Taverns has completed a six-figure investment in the Thistle in Alloa, Scotland, creating 15 new jobs.
Beyond the big screen: How a new generation is reinventing the sports bar
From cult horror and arcade games to cocktails, competitive socialising and dedicated spaces for women’s sport, the sports bar is starting to look very different.
‘Record after record’: Shepherd Neame hails strong summer pub trade
Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said the brewer and pub operator had seen “very, very strong” performance from its pubs, despite pressure in Brewing and Brands.
Star reopens Exeter pub after largest JAT investment of 2026
Star Pubs has reopened a closed Exeter pub following its biggest Just Add Talent (JAT) refurbishment of 2026.
Greene King boosts London estate with £15m investment
Greene King is set to invest around £15m in its London pub estate this year as part of its wider strategy to reinvest in core sites.
Shepherd Neame ramps up estate investment
Shepherd Neame has disclosed at least £530k of investment across recent pub and hotel projects, as the brewer continues a wider programme of refurbishments and venue upgrades.
Star expands Scottish JAT estate with £280k revamp
Star Pubs has expanded its managed operator estate in Scotland with the reopening of a historic Edinburgh pub following a £280k refurbishment.
PROPERTY: Inside Inception’s new Guinness saloon in Covent Garden
This property round-up includes updates from Inception, Shepherd Neame, Urban Pubs and more.
Harvey’s invests £1.5m in brewery stay concept
Harvey’s Brewery is set to open eight boutique rooms above its brewery shop in Lewes, as the regional brewer looks to build its tourism and experiential offer.
LTC adds to its education arm
The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) has added a Berkshire school to its education arm in a bid to strengthen the organisation’s ability to support hospitality workers.
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.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
PROPERTY: Portobello to reopen former JDW freehold as The Falconbrook
This property round-up includes mentions from Portobello Pubs, Brunning & Price, Urban Pubs & Bars, Shepherd Neame and more.
Greene King trials AI and smart tech across ‘innovation pubs’
Greene King is testing a wide range of artificial intelligence and smart technologies across two managed sites as part of a new programme designed to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs and enhance customer experience.
Star adds 220th managed pub after biggest investment of 2025
Star Pubs has completed its largest Just Add Talent (JAT) refurbishment of the year, reopening the Horse & Jockey in Waddington following a £750k investment and taking its managed operator estate to 220 sites.
Greene King invests £6m in London pub estate
Greene King has invested more than £6m in its managed pubs across London so far this year, with 14 sites reopened in 2025 following major refurbishments.
Village pub opens community café to help overcome social isolation and loneliness
A village pub has opened a community café in a bid to support local residents and provide a meeting place for those living alone.
The Pub People Company: ‘We’re investing to strengthen our estate for the future’
Midlands-based managed pub operator, Pub People Company, will continue to prioritise capital investment across its estate, with MD Andy Crawford confirming the group remains focused on refurbishment and sustainability projects despite cost pressures.
Urban Pubs & Bars acquires Albion & East to expand London portfolio
Urban Pubs & Bars has acquired Albion & East, adding four all-day venues to its growing London estate and strengthening its position as the capital’s largest independent pub group.
Admiral Taverns holds capex at £33m, prioritises growth projects and energy savings
Admiral Taverns will keep capital investment broadly steady this year, targeting growth-led refurbishments across its 1,350-strong community pub estate while stepping up spend on energy-efficiency measures.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
St Austell reopens Dartmouth pub after ‘transformational’ refurbishment
This property round-up includes mentions from St Austell, Thwaites, Damm, Heartwood and more.
Robinsons: ‘Investment drives growth - without it, you go backwards’
Robinsons Brewery will continue to invest across its pub and brewing operations despite mounting cost pressures, with capital spend focused on refurbishments, small extensions and efficiency-driven technology.
RedCat: ‘We remain committed to reinvestment and growth’
90-strong pub group RedCat remains committed to growth and reinvestment despite rising operational costs and inflation, with an £8m capex programme continuing across its estate.
Red Engine secures £10m to ‘open more venues’
Red Engine, the group behind Flight Club and Electric Shuffle, has secured an increased lending facility of £10m, bringing the total to £70m.
Multi-site momentum: Star Pubs licensees expand portfolios across the UK
Independent operators across the UK are expanding through Star Pubs & Bars’ leased model, with multiple licensees taking on second, third and even tenth pubs in 2025.
JDW invests £25m in new pubs and refurbishments in 2025
JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has announced more than £25m of investment across its UK estate so far in 2025, reflecting sustained confidence in long-term growth despite cost pressures facing the wider sector.
The Palmerston team to open Edinburgh pub
The team behind popular Edinburgh restaurant The Palmerston is joining forces with Newbarns brewery to revive a pub in the Scottish capital that has been closed for a decade.
Greene King pumps nearly £42m into 130 sites with plans to maintain momentum
Pub company and brewer Greene King has invested almost £42m into more than 100 of its pub and smokehouse restaurants in the first half of 2025.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
PROPERTY: Urban Pubs & Bars injects £500k into city pub
This week’s property round-up features Urban Pubs & Bars, Marston’s, Heartwood and more.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
Admiral pumps over £880k into three sites
This week’s property round-up features investments from Admiral Taverns, Star Pubs, Thwaites and more.
Venus Wine and Spirits Merchants expanding on-trade business
Venus Wine and Spirits Merchants is looking to expand its role in the on-trade with the opening of its fifth distribution centre in Birmingham.
Sky Business and Admiral Taverns expand collaboration
Sky Business and Admiral Taverns have expanded their collaboration, with aims to bring Sky TV to an additional 200 Admiral Taverns pubs under the Proper Pubs division across England, Scotland and Wales.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
Bristol Beer Factory ploughs £2m into new site
This week's property round-up includes investments from Laine Pub Company, Punch Pubs, Kirkstall Brewery, Bristol Beer Factory and more.
Punch reveals 24-pub package acquisition
Punch Pubs & Co has acquired the Milton 3 portfolio, adding 24 pubs to its 1,300 estate.
City brewery and brand secures future
Brewing industry veteran Rupert Thompson has agreed an investment deal with London-based craft brewer Mondo, securing the future of the latter’s brands, brewery and taproom.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
Admiral pumps £286k into Proper Pubs site
This week’s property round-up features investments from Admiral Taverns, Fuller’s, and Mitchells & Butlers (M&B).
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
Community group completes purchase of 'cherished' pub
This week's property round-up features acquisitions and refurbishments from Fleurets, Fuller's, M&B and more.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
Heartwood and Punch both acquire trio of new sites
This week's property round-up features Heartwood Collection, Punch Pubs, Robinsons brewery, Fuller's and more.
Punch expands its growing estate
Punch Pubs & Co has acquired a trio of Leicestershire pubs from Steamin' Billy into its leased and tenanted division.
Majestic rescues Vagabond from administration
Wine retailer Majestic has bought Vagabond Wines out of administration, securing the future of nine bars and saving more than 170 jobs.
Northern Monk expands brewing capacity by 20%
Northern Monk Brew Co. enters “exciting new era” as it increases its brewing capacity by a fifth after injecting half-a-million pounds into its main brewery.
PROPERTY REFURBS
Robinsons expands pub site with coffee shop
This week's property refurbs round-up includes investments from Robinsons, Admiral Taverns, Punch Pubs, Hydes and more.
£60bn apprenticeship investment ‘very positive’
The hospitality sector has said there is “much to be pleased about”, after the Government announced it would invest in apprenticeships.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
Harbour Beer House to open, Heartwood Collection launches pub with rooms
The Harbour Beer House will open its doors in summer, but in more recent news, Heartwood Collection has launched a new site and gastropub the Guinea Grill has reopened in London.
PROPERTY REFURBS
Shepherd Neame reveals new £750k look for London pub
This week's property round-up includes refurbishments from Shepherd Neame, Punch Pubs, Slug & Lettuce, Admiral and more.