The Inspiration for Pub Success Since 1794
Staffing levels in the hospitality sector have risen for the first time in almost six months, but operators are likely to “apply to brakes” on recruitment ahead of the autumn Budget, experts have warned.
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.
M&B has integrated artificial intelligence into its operations to improve efficiency in menu development, marketing and customer service, according to director of digital product and transformation Richard Whitehouse.
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.
Spending in bars, pubs and clubs fell 0.5% in September, according to Barclays’ latest Consumer Spend report, as cautious consumers reined in discretionary spending ahead of November’s Autumn Budget.
BIG INTERVIEW
Three Cheers Pub Co. boss Tom Peake describes his business partners as “a band of brothers”.
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.
OPINION
Licensing is an issue I’m incredibly passionate about.
Brewer and pub group Thwaites has invested £550k in solar panels at its head office in Mellor, Lancashire.
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.
Valiant Pub Company has reported a strong year of operational and financial performance, supported by strategic investment and continued expansion.
Operators are increasingly finding ways to embrace earlier dayparts to compete with coffee shops as consumers choose Netflix over nights out.
A wave of star pub chefs is proving exceptional food and traditional pub values can go hand in hand – and drive serious profit.
The MA Top 100 Pubcos 2025 report was launched last month with an abundance of insight and statistics for eager readers to lap up.
Sober October can divide opinions – particularly for on-trade business – but can offering drinks without alcohol help boost the bottom line?
The leading awards for the pub, bar and wider hospitality sector is set to get under way as The Morning Advertiser gears up for the launch of the 2026 Publican Awards.
While there is no obligation on premises to utilise digital IDs, here are the pros and cons should operators choose to use them.
LICENSING HUB: LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN
With Guy Fawkes night fast approaching, many pubs and hospitality venues are preparing for fireworks and bonfire nights.
Oak Taverns managing director Simon Collinson told The Morning Advertiser the great weather during summer led to an outperformance of the company’s expected budgets.
OPINION
Sat among some incredible publicans at the Great British Pub Awards last month, I was struck by how many of the winners say they put their success down to “doing the basics really well,” day in, day out.
NEW PRODUCTS
With the spooky season just around the corner, The Morning Advertiser (The MA) has rounded-up the best new products available for pubs this Halloween.
The private equity backer of The Alchemist bar group is understood to have put the business up for sale.
Publicans and operators across the UK have expressed frustration at Government suggestions that extending pub opening hours could help “save” the sector and boost economic growth.
THE LOW & NO PROJECT
The advertising of alcohol-free products has “raised more consistent concerns” than all other alcohol categories in a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) trial.
Beer business Damm has officially opened its Bedford brewery after investing £70m in a bid to modernise the site.
As the industry marks World Mental Health Day today (10 October 2025), pub operators across the UK are taking action to highlight mental health awareness and promote staff wellbeing across the sectors.
Gipsy Hill has announced it is moving the majority of its brewing the Curious Brewery in Ashford, Kent.
MA LEADERS CLUB
Hospitality leaders have criticised the Government’s “chronic lack of understanding” on challenges within the sector and its untapped potential for growth.
Scottish brewer and bar operator BrewDog has demanded action in the upcoming Budget as “the UK brewing and pub sector has been hit by more than £1bn in additional costs over the past 12 months”.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has recognised TV’s Jeremy Clarkson for his contribution to the hospitality industry at its Annual Dinner, held in Leeds earlier this week (7 October 2025).
Punch Pubs & Co has vowed to reopen a historic Shropshire pub later this month following concerns over its temporary closure during peak tourist season.
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.
Alcohol-free beer brewer Mash Gang is launching Swaptober Fest – which it claims is the UK’s first completely sober Oktoberfest celebration.
The Government has launched a call for evidence on proposed reforms to the UK’s licensing regime, aiming to modernise and streamline the system for pubs, bars and other on-trade operators.
Marston’s CEO Justin Platt has announced the pub operator has delivered “another year of strong profit growth”.
THE CASK PROJECT
Cask ale is no longer just the preserve of older drinkers… Gen Z are “flocking to it in record numbers”.
A year after new tipping laws took effect, operators say the rules have created fairer standards across the sector, despite ongoing grey areas over how to interpret them.
MA LEADERS CLUB
The MA Leaders Club will be taking to the streets of Norwich today to see what the city has to offer.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
This week’s property round-up includes investments from Joseph Holt, Three Cheers, Northern Monk and more.
The Alchemist has posted a turnover of £56.2m for the year ending 31 March 2025, down from £58.6m the previous year.
UKHospitality has reiterated calls for immediate reform of the ‘broken’ business rates system following the Shadow Chancellor’s speech at the Conservative Party Conference.
EXCLUSIVE
Alf Turner butchers has joined forces with the UK’s biggest pubco to raise money for veterans charity Help for Heroes.
Rapid rises in operational costs have damaged capital expenditure programmes across the sector as almost half of operators cut investment.
Oak Taverns boss Simon Collinson has backed trade bodies in their bid to fix the tax system that is causing so many problems for the on-trade.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Barons has its sights set on more freehold acquisitions after reporting a year of solid trading in 2024, director Clive Price told The Morning Advertiser (The MA)
BrewDog boss James Taylor has said the fourth quarter of this financial year will be “critical” for the business after it announced job cuts.
More stringent rules on the employment of pub, bar and club door security staff could lead to a reduction in people available to fill jobs.
Experts have praised JD Wetherspoon’s (JDW) ability to “adapt and grow” following its latest results, but warned cost pressures are “far from over”.
The Lock In podcast explores the cost of a pint along with beer writing legend Pete Brown - has the price risen out of reach of the consumer?
LICENSING HUB: LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN
Last month Keir Starmer confirmed plans for a new digital ID scheme for citizens to prove their right to live and work in the UK.