‘We are overtaxed as a sector’
The MA’s Ed Bedington met up with Fuller, Smith & Turner boss Simon Emeny to get his take on the week’s news.
News
Pubs over the years: What were the news stories shaping the sector in August 5, 10 and 15 years ago?
We take a look back at the biggest stories that were affecting the sector in August 2011, 2016 and 2021.
OPINION
OPINION: The new type of ‘red flag’ customers you need to be aware of
As a publican of almost 20 years, I’m struggling to keep my cool with a new breed of customer that ghosts our calls.
NEW PRODUCTS
Heineken UK unveils new limited-edition Old Mout Cider expression
Heineken UK has launched a new limited-edition flavour for its premium Old Mout Cider brand.
Pubs warn rising costs risk cutting off first jobs
Pub operators have warned rising employment costs risk making it harder for hospitality to offer young people their first step into work.
Churchill historic figure Brits would most like to have pint with
Winston Churchill has topped a poll of historic figures Brits would most like to share a pint with, while Napoleon was the top choice among 18 to 24-year-olds.
Brakspear: ‘We need to see some actual long term policy change from Government’
Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies has told MCA the government needs to do more to look at the causes behind rising pub closures.
Pubs honour country music icon Dolly Parton
Pubs across the UK have paid tribute to country music legend Dolly Parton following her passing earlier this week.
Hospitality optimism doubles after Burnham biz rates pledge
Hospitality confidence in the Government has more than doubled following its pledge to cut business rates, new polling has revealed.
Protesters barbecue ‘dog’ outside Clarkson’s pub
Animal rights group PETA has staged a vegan protest outside Jeremy Clarkson’s Oxfordshire pub, the Farmer’s Dog.
Episode 4 of On the Pass launches with Beth Hipwell at the Two Pigs
How do you take Michelin-starred experience into a neighbourhood pub without losing what makes it a pub?
Brains launches triple-font tech for its Bayside lager range at new pub
Brains Brewery has unveiled its first multi-font draught tech for its Bayside lager at its new pub – the Old Brewery – in Cardiff’s Brewery Quarter.
‘Fair deal’ VAT cut hopes hit by Treasury warning
Pubs face continued uncertainty over the prospect of a VAT cut after a Treasury minister warned reducing the tax would come at a significant cost.
JDW opens new airport pub after multi-million pound investment
Pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is opening its latest airport pub after spending £3.5m developing it.
Brakspear sees ‘another strong year of progress’
Brakspear has reported ‘another strong year of progress’ with turnover rising 16% to £47.9m in the year ended 28 December 2025.
THE LOW & NO PROJECT
EXCLUSIVE: 91% of drinkers use moderation techniques despite rise in binge drinking
More than nine out of 10 drinkers are using at least one method to moderate their alcohol consumption despite an increase in binge drinking in the past 12 months.
Diageo workers threaten to strike over ‘needless’ job cuts
Around 100 distillery staff at Diageo’s Cameronbridge site are set to vote on strike action after the company announced plans to cut hundreds of jobs.
Hall & Woodhouse: ‘Negative sector press’ hits partner recruitment
Hall & Woodhouse has reported a 16% rise in profits after investing £19m in its pub estate, despite sector challenges making it harder to recruit new business partners.
Rates review must prevent ‘chaotic’ 2029 revaluation
The Government’s business rates review must make pub valuations more accurate, fair and transparent, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has said.
Licensee suffering ‘logistical nightmare’ over sinkhole
A pub licensee has claimed a sinkhole that has stopped large deliveries is proving to be a “logistical nightmare” as footfall has fallen at the site.
Comedian Lycett will open pub to celebrate sector on Channel 4
Comedian Joe Lycett is set to open a pub that will trade for just one hour per week that will shine a spotlight on the great British pub.
Licensee uncovers £1.3k supplier price gap
A Norfolk licensee has launched pub software after his own invoice data showed a £1,308 price gap between two suppliers across a single quarter.
Wet-led pubs ‘standout winner’ of World Cup tournament
Drink-focused pubs recorded a significant rise in trade during the men’s football World Cup competition this summer.
UTILITY UPDATE WITH NATIONWIDE ENERGY
Ceasefire collapse ends hope for cheaper autumn for pub energy bills
A fortnight ago we said a cheaper renewal needed shipping, storage and weather all improving together.
Pubs urged to review standards amid Salmonella warnings
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has shared key hygiene measures for operators when handling eggs following an investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella.
Wild Group to launch seafood-led pub in the City of London
Wild Group founders Ilya Demichev and George Bukhov-Weinstein will launch their first pub in the City of London next month.
Rates review ‘will not solve’ pub cost pressure
The Government has launched a review into how biz rates are calculated for pubs and hotels in England and Wales.
Warning employment proposals risk higher costs and further pressures
Pubs and brewers could face major cost hikes as a result of proposed employment changes, one trade body has warned.
Chancellor visits brewery after MPs urged to listen to sector
Chancellor John Healey recently visited a South Yorkshire brewery to discuss pressures facing hospitality, following calls for politicians to engage more closely with businesses across the sector.
OPINION
OPINION: No one is coming to our rescue
There is a trend emerging across the pub trade that frustrates me more than rising costs, staffing challenges or Government policy.
Pub protections: what operators need to know
New planning rules have strengthened protection for pubs in England, but they do not amount to a blanket ban on closures, conversions or complaints.
Greene King launches new Cornerstone Pubs brand
Greene King is bringing a collection of its value and carvery pubs together under a new soft brand within its managed estate.
Ex Rosa’s Thai operator targets four pubs with new venture
Former Rosa’s Thai and State of Play Hospitality head of operations Jonny Bramwell has launched a new pub group in Henley on Thames.
New data shows sales decline for pubs and bars last month
Pubs and bars experienced an overall decline in revenue in July 2026, versus the previous month, despite warm weather and sporting events that would traditionally support strong trading.
Joseph Holt turnover rises to £78.3m
Joseph Holt has reported increased turnover and profit for the year to 31 December 2025, despite continued pressure on costs and consumer spending.
Greene King’s 60 Years of Hurst beer sales ‘a true cask success story’
Sales of Greene King’s 60 Years of Hurst cask ale have been described as a “true success story”.
Drink Tank: what’s next for the market?
New consumer demands, changing regulation and fast-moving categories are reshaping the drinks landscape and Drink Tank will bring the industry together to explore what’s driving growth today and what’s framing the future.
Tom Kerridge to open new London bar
Tom Kerridge will open a new bar at Corinthia London next month alongside an evolved version of his restaurant at the hotel.
Hawkstone Cider rolls out to all 178 Five Guys restaurants
Hawkstone Cider has been added to the menu at all Five Guys restaurants across the UK as part of the brand’s continued push around British farming.
Pub with cockroaches and bedbugs fined £17k
A pub operator and its director have been ordered to pay £17,000 after admitting offences linked to bedbugs, cockroaches and safety hazards.
Spirits producers merge with aim to create ‘powerhouse’ firm
Two city-based spirits producers have completed a merger, with plans to grow the business.
TNT Sports to phase pub price rises over three years
TNT Sports has said pub customers facing higher charges due to new rateable values will have increases phased over three years once their current contracts end.
Cubitt House sales rose 7.3% before Young’s takeover
Cubitt House reported higher sales and a reduced loss in its final accounts before being acquired by Young’s.
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.
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.
THE LOW & NO PROJECT
Brulo targets on-trade growth as founder backs ‘second pint’ appeal
Low & no beer producer Brulo has just 20% of its business in the on-trade but is planning to grow this substantially within the next 12 months.
Number of firms going bust eases but remains historically high
More than 1,600 accommodation and food service companies including pubs collapsed in the six months to June 2026, new research has found.
Carlsberg delivers ‘solid top-line development and earnings growth’
Carlsberg has reported ‘solid top-line development and earnings growth’ for the first half-year despite a ’challenging and volatile’ macro environment.
Diageo cuts 2,000 staff members amid restructuring
Diageo’s workforce fell by almost 2,000 people in its last financial year as chief executive Sir Dave Lewis pushes ahead with a major cost cutting programme.
Pubs saw sales growth in July despite number of venues dropping
Prolonged hot weather and the latter stages of this year’s men’s World Cup resulted in one of the strongest months of 2026 for pubs and bars.