Pub occasions decline as QSR and retail gain ground in Q4
Pubs and bars lost share of eating and drinking out occasions in Q4 2025, as consumers became more selective with spend and traded into value-led formats.
Trends & Analysis
Billionaire-owned pub company tops list of consumers’ favourite operators
Wellington Pub Company, owned by the Reuben Brothers, has come out top in a list of British consumers’ favourite pub operators.
Convenience, elevated experiences and tech to shape hospitality in 2026
New research from Zonal’s GO Technology programme has highlighted how consumers are engaging with pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels as the sector enters another year of tight spending and high cost pressures.
Low & no, cask, cocktails and Guinness to cash in on 2026
Many of your customers might still be trying to a stick to their health kick as we enter late January but it would be useful to all pubs and bars to know which drinks will be popular in 2026.
Pubs over the years: What were the news stories shaping the sector 5, 10, and 15 years ago
We’ve looked back at the biggest stories impacting the pub sector in the month of January, 5, 10 and 15 years ago.
Pub visits rebuild through January as Dry January delays, rather than dents, trade
Pub visits dropped at the start of January but have rebuilt steadily through the month, according to new movement data from Bolt.
From £2.99 to over £5: the pint price shift in a decade
10 years ago this month, The Morning Advertiser reported that one fifth of UK beer drinkers were unwilling to pay more than £2.99 for a pint.
Card spending dips in December but pubs see festive lift
UK consumer card spending fell in December as households continued to rein in discretionary purchases, although pubs enjoyed a modest festive boost after three consecutive months of decline.
THE MONTHLY ROUND: WHAT IS SHAPING TRADE
THE MONTHLY ROUND: Pubs unite against biz rates as events and heritage beer steady trade
Unity within the sector has forced the Government to take action against soaring business rates, while events, earlier visits, and desire for heritage beer has steadied trade this month.
Where hospitality design is heading in 2026
Maximalism with impact, experience-led spaces and authentic, sustainable interiors that endure are just three of the design trends expected in 2026, experts have revealed.
Mini pubs boom: Brands and operators tap demand for ‘tiny’ drinking experiences
A wave of miniature pub concepts is emerging across the UK as operators, drinks brands and content creators experiment with compact, novelty led formats designed to drive footfall, social media reach and incremental sales.
Spending dropped by 0.2% during 2025
Consumer card spending in pubs, bars and clubs fell by 0.2% across this year, new research found.
Gen Z driving cocktail culture, defying ‘sober stereotypes’
Gen Z have boosted cocktail and spirit sales in the UK, challenging long-held assumptions younger customers are turning away from alcohol, according to research.
5 key points from 2025
With the final days of this year almost upon us, The Morning Advertiser looks back at the defining moments of 2025.
Flat November sales deepen sector challenges
Britain’s managed hospitality groups entered the Christmas period on the back of flat November sales, according to the latest NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker.
Xmas bookings fall 1% as operators brace for late demand
Christmas party bookings have slipped 1% year on year, according to new data from payments company Dojo, which points to continued pressure on discretionary festive spending.
Festive three course menus climb to £36 across pubs and restaurants
The average cost of a three course Christmas dinner at UK pub and restaurant chains has risen to £36 per person, according to new figures from Meaningful Vision.
Pub service enters ‘new age’ of tech-enabled pre-booking and ordering
New research from Zonal and CGA by NIQ shows pub habits are undergoing their fastest shift in a decade, with digital ordering, pre booking and changing expectations from Gen Z reshaping how venues operate.
Pubs over the years: What were the news stories shaping the sector in November 5, 10 and 15 years ago?
We’ve taken a look back on the top stories impacting the sector in November over the past few years.
Pubs enjoy summer boost but face a cautious winter
Pubs with outdoor space enjoyed a strong summer trading period driven by hot weather and major sporting events, but operators now face a “finely balanced” winter as cost pressures and consumer caution continue.
Operators urged to shift focus to early 2026 trading as costs squeeze festive margins
Hospitality businesses should move quickly past the Autumn Budget and begin planning for a challenging first quarter of 2026, according to the latest Market Forecast from purchasing specialists Lynx Purchasing.
Top brands to stock in 2026 to be unveiled
There are just days to go until The Morning Advertiser reveals the top brands to stock next year in the latest edition of the Drinks List.
THE MONTHLY ROUND: WHAT IS SHAPING TRADE
The Monthly Round: Pubs stay resilient as events and value boost footfall
Operators report mixed but resilient trading amid economic pressures and Budget uncertainty, with events, value and experiences driving footfall, The MA’s first Monthly Round snapshot has revealed.
Spring/summer 2026 drink trends revealed
Syrup brand Monin has unveiled its latest Spring/Summer 2026 Drink Trends Report, predicting the flavours, textures and serves set to influence menus across pubs, bars and cafés next year.
Pub menus expand as operators prioritise value, variety and loyalty
Pub and bar menus have expanded as operators invest in variety, innovation and loyalty initiatives to drive spend and strengthen value perception, according to Lumina Intelligence’s latest Menu Tracker Quarterly Report (Q3 2025).
Wet-led pubs show signs of stabilisation as younger drinkers return to locals
Britain’s traditional wet-led pubs appear to be finding a firmer footing after years of decline, driven by changes in consumer behaviour and smarter operator strategies.
The year of the black pint: Stout finds fresh energy and new fans
With International Stout Day today (6 November), few categories are fizzing with as much momentum as stout. Once a winter comfort, it’s now a year-round staple, and, for the first time, it’s not just the “old boys” drinking it.
Local pubs see resurgence as younger consumers seek connection
Community pubs are showing renewed strength as younger consumers drive a rise in visitation and engagement, new research has revealed.
Pubs are still a social engine – the question is how we keep them running
Pubs are evolving beyond the bar, they are social hubs that keep communities connected. But rising costs and reduced reliefs have pushed 209 sites to close in the first half of 2025, forcing operators to adapt with new events and services to maintain...
Cocktail bar operators reveal top trends
A number of cocktail bar operators have revealed the trends they’re seeing in their venues.
Pubs and bars outperform wider market as consumers turn to social drinking
Pubs and bars increased their share of the out-of-home market at the end of August, according to Lumina Intelligence’s latest Eating and Drinking Out Panel (EDOP) snapshot.
Gen Z drinking less, or just drinking differently? New data challenges assumptions
The long-running story that Gen Z are turning their backs on alcohol is losing strength. New research from Lumina Intelligence and CGA by NIQ shows younger adults are still drinking, socialising and spending in pubs and bars, just in different ways.
Pubs adapt to earlier dayparts as evening trade declines
Operators are increasingly finding ways to embrace earlier dayparts to compete with coffee shops as consumers choose Netflix over nights out.
Insolvencies up almost a fifth since January
The number of insolvencies has increased by 19.78% since the start of the year, according to analysis of recent figures.
The changing face of the Great British Pub
The Lock In podcast is back! Yes, fans of the podcast (all seven of you) will be delighted and this time we’ve got a great new guest host for our opening episode, Butcombe’s Jayson Perfect.
ANALYSIS: To tip or not to tip, that is the question...
The decision by a pub company to add an automatic tip to ordering drinks at the bar in some of its sites has thrown the cat among the pigeons and reignited the service charge debate.
Insolvencies ease but remain historically high
The number of insolvencies in hospitality eased slightly in the first half of the year but figures remain historically high.
ANALYSIS: How much have wages risen over the past five years?
Over the past five years, wages have soared by more than 40% alongside policy changes resulting in younger workers now benefitting from a higher hourly rate.
‘June sales round out tough first half of 2025 for hospitality groups’
Pub, bar and restaurant groups finished a soft first half of trading this year with June sales level with 2024, new research has found.
Pubs dominate M&A activity in H1 2025
Pubcos ramped up M&A activity in H1 2025 as shifting consumer preferences fuelled a move toward wet-led models and increased demand for pubs with accommodation.
Consumers spent cautiously in June, despite warm weather
Despite high temperatures in June, consumer spending was muted for the month, new data has shown.
Mixed trading as drink sales dip in June
Variable weather and hesitant consumer spending saw drinks sales dip overall in managed venues in June, CGA by NIQ’s latest Daily Drinks Tracker has showed.
Great Yarmouth has the highest density of pubs per population
Great Yarmouth has the highest density of pubs per population, new data analysis has revealed.
Almost half of adults opting out of buying drinks rounds
Some 48% of adults in Great Britain prefer buying drinks for just themselves, new research has found.
Optimistic outlook from operators and consumers
There is an optimistic outlook from both pub and bar operators and consumers, despite ongoing economic challenges, a new report has revealed.
Pubs over the years: What were the news stories shaping the sector 15, 10 and five years ago
Pubs have been the centre of many of the top news stories over the years, with everything from the smoking ban, Licensing Act to the Beer Orders.
Going out earlier remains top trend for consumers
Consumers are continuing to go out earlier with the average start time for a dinner reservation now 6.12pm, new research has revealed.
Spending in hospitality & leisure ‘has remained positive since April 2021′
Consumer spending in the hospitality and leisure sector has seen positive growth in the years from April 2021.
Pubs remain at the heart of social culture
Pubs remain in high demand and at the heart of social culture in the UK, new research has found.
ANALYSIS: Pub numbers down by over 15,000 in past 25 years
The on-trade has lost 15,800 pubs over the past quarter of a century, analysis of trade body data has found.