UTILITY UPDATE WITH NATIONWIDE ENERGY
Gas prices rise for pubs after US hits Iran and hot weather sets in
Nationwide Energy Consultants explores ongoing changes to energy costs for the hospitality sector as the Middle East war continues.
News
Young workers prioritise flexibility over pay as entry‑level hiring falls
Changing expectations among young workers have added fresh pressure to recruitment within the sector, as employers warn rising costs are cutting entry-level hiring.
‘Exercise in national harm’: Beer, cider and wine producers talk about the sector
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.
OPINION
OPINION: Time for a wine?
Hello to all in hospitality. As I embark on this latest opinion piece, I am getting a little grumpy.
Hospitality staff churn hits 75% as training costs soar by 70%
Only one in every four staff members make it past 90 days of employment with hospitality companies, according to new research.
THE LOW & NO PROJECT
5 ways to boost low & no sales in summer of sport
With the 2026 World Cup set to be the largest tournament in history, pubs have an unprecedented opportunity to unlock footfall, dwell time and sales.
Over 28m pints sold across spring bank holiday
More than 28m pints were poured across the spring bank holiday weekend, new data has revealed.
Pubs over the years: What were the new stories shaping the sector in May 5, 10 and 15 years ago?
We take a look back at the biggest stories that were affecting the sector in May 2011, 2016 and 2021.
Pubs face ‘nice pub tax’ under new biz rates guidance
Pubs in attractive locations or with strong community roles could face higher business rates bills under new valuation guidance, according to reports in The Telegraph.
Multiple operators warned over tax changes by HMRC
Tax changes to shared company ownership from three years ago are starting to be pursued by HMRC. Here, accountancy consultant Eddie Murphy from ELTA outlines how it might impact on pub operators.
Pub boss killed during attack at nearby bar
A man has been charged with murder after assaulting a pub director during the spring bank holiday weekend.
Pub closes during heatwave
A popular pub closed during this week’s heatwave after temperatures behind the bar reached more than 34°C.
Community pubs can help tackle youth unemployment
Community owned pubs, cafés and restaurants can play a vital role in tackling rising youth unemployment, particularly in rural areas, according to Plunkett UK.
Employment costs ‘must fall’ to unlock youth jobs
UKHospitality has urged the Government to cut the cost of employment for operators after the interim Milburn review warned the UK risks a “lost generation” of young people detached from work and education.
London Wine Fair: Trends in wine
Some of the best in the wine business came together and told The Morning Advertiser the trends they are seeing in the on-trade.
THE DRINKS LIST 2026
DRINKS LIST: Inside the Tequila boom in pubs
With Tequila sales booming in the on-trade and showing no signs of slowing, The Morning Advertiser (The MA) has taken a closer look at the category’s best-selling brands and its impact on pubs and bars.
THE MONTHLY ROUND
THE MONTHLY ROUND: Weather and value shape May trade
Pubs reported mixed trading in May, with weather, bank holidays and local events influencing footfall as operators continued to navigate rising costs and cautious consumer spending.
Pubs under pressure as eating out growth slows
Pubs are expected to face further pressure in 2026 as cost increases and changing consumer habits continue to weigh on service-led hospitality.
New chef series On the Pass launches with Ashley Palmer-Watts at the Devonshire
The Morning Advertiser (MA) has today launched a new video series exploring how pubs are using food to drive trade, footfall and experience in an increasingly challenging market.
THE CASK PROJECT
Yorkshire brewers unite for Peculier Assassin beer
Yorkshire-based breweries T&R Theakston and Rooster’s Brewing Co have joined forces to create a new beer titled Peculier Assassin.
Fruit beer and stout fuelling category growth
Both stout and fruit beer are seeing value growth, new data has shown.
Adnams pub estate grows despite disposal disruption
Adnams said its pub and hotel estate delivered a solid performance in 2025, with managed property revenues up 4.3% on a like-for-like basis.
Pedalling To Pubs returns with 270km charity ride
More than 60 pub and hospitality leaders are set to take on a 270km cycling challenge across Norfolk next month.
Biggest commercial opportunity expected prior to kick-off during World Cup games
Later kick-off times, changing social behaviour and economic pressures are reshaping how consumers engage with major sporting occasions, new research has showed.
Local community saddened by city pub closure
A Brighton pub has announced it will close at the end of this week, prompting an outpouring of comments from former operators, regulars and local customers.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
PROPERTY: Market Halls expands games concept across London sites
This property round-up includes mentions from Market Halls, Butcombe, Vagabond, Herts Pubs and more.
Regulars: The lifeblood - and headache of the local pub
The Lock In team takes a look at the pub regular, from old Dave propping up the bar, to the crowd that tell you how to run the pub - how important are regulars, and how do you control them?
Blue Stoops launches ‘grown-up’ children’s menu in VAT protest
London pub The Blue Stoops has launched “Britain’s most grown-up children’s menu” in response to the Government’s temporary VAT cut on children’s meals.
James Watt reveals plans to launch beer business
BrewDog co-founder James Watt has announced he is launching a new beer venture.
‘Pubs don’t survive without communities’: Local pub taps into sport to drive fundraising
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.
BIG INTERVIEW
BIG INTERVIEW: How Heartwood CEO learned from the floor up
Having the ability and being capable of getting stuck in when it comes to all aspects of work are qualities to be respected.
Pub groups recognised as top employers
A number of pub groups have been honoured in the latest Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK.
THE CASK PROJECT
Brains unveils major rebrand and commits investment into on-trade
Cardiff-based Brains has undergone a major rebrand, which includes a new logo and investment to the on-trade.
BrewLDN: The latest trends in beer and cider
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.
OPINION
OPINION: Why water quality is every brewer’s business
Step outside Stroud Brewery and you’re between two waterways: on one side is the River Frome and on the other is the Severn Canal.
‘I can rummage in my handbag and find more money than we’ll save with this VAT cut’
The MA’s Ed Bedington catches up with Hayley Pellegrini from the Pelle Pub Co for her take on the week’s news.
Is kid’s meal VAT cut worthwhile?
The MA’s Ed Bedington hosts an impromptu reaction chat with the Lock In’s Heath Ball and the Great British Pub Awards Family Pub of the Year operator Phil Sutton of the Perry Hill Pub.
Night-time economy bears brunt of closures as sector continues to contract
The nation’s late-night industry is continuing to shrink amid rising costs and changing consumer habits, new research has found.
Temporary 5% VAT cut on children’s meals: what qualifies and what it means for pubs
In light of the Government’s recent announcement about a temporary 5% VAT cut on children’s meals, The Morning Advertiser takes a look at what this means.
Operators slam ‘token gesture’ children’s meal VAT cut
Pub operators have questioned the impact of the Government’s temporary VAT cut on children’s meals.
Gov confirms VAT cut on children’s meals includes pubs
The Government has confirmed it is introducing a temporary VAT reduction to 5% on children’s menu meals at venues including pubs over the summer.
NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP
NEW PRODUCTS: Vocation unveils new seasonal line-up
This month’s new products round-up features innovations from Vocation, Jägermeister, Thatcher’s, Aviation Gin and Greene King alongside a variety of snacks.
Market update: Ongoing energy pressures facing pub operators today
With prices unlikely to fall soon, energy remains a key pressure for operators. Get the latest outlook and practical next steps.
JDW to open one of largest central London pubs at Trocadero
JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is set to open its first venue in London’s Theatreland, after landing a major new site at the London Trocadero in Piccadilly Circus.
Cheshire Cat: ‘Continuity is key to consistency and success’
Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars has maintained staffing levels despite rising employment costs, as the operator continues to prioritise retention, internal development and customer service.
M&B posts ‘robust’ first half of financial year, lfl sales up 3.3%
Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has delivered a “robust” performance during the first half of its latest financial year with life-for-like sales up 3.3% on the same period as last year.
EXCLUSIVE: Average pint price up 3.3%
The average cost of a pint of draught beer has increased by 17p to £5.34 in the past 12 months, according to an exclusive survey from The Morning Advertiser.
Roxy Ball Room to open third London site in Old Street
Professionals at Play has acquired a third London site for its Roxy Ball Room brand, with the operator set to open a new venue in Old Street this July as it continues to expand in the capital.
Young’s boss ‘delighted’ with ‘exceptional set of results’
London-based pub company Young’s has reported record performance in its latest trading update.
Pub gardens make almost half of UK feel ‘summery’
New research has found 45% of people say pub gardens make the UK feel “summery”.