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Sector attacked: can Zoe Eliasson meeting a community plea also help hospitality's standing?

OPINION

Seeking positive feedback as a community stalwart

By Zoe Eliasson, licensee at the Boot at Sarratt, Hertfordshire

With our pub, the Boot at Sarratt (established 1729), being situated in the middle of our picturesque village, we had no choice but to agree to a Christmas plea from the Church and local primary school.

Foodservice price inflation falls by 20% in October

Foodservice price inflation drops 20%

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Foodservice price inflation (FPI) decreased for the fifth consecutive month in October, the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index has revealed.

Dealing with no-shows: Stosie Madi of the Parkers Arms, Lancashire

OPINION

Customers must help it make the season of goodwill

By Stosie Madi, chef-patron of the Parkers Arms

December is our trade’s busiest time of the year. It’s when hospitality gets to play a starring role in people’s social calendar.

Out of print: Great British Pub Awards Pub of the Year owner Tim Bird says restaurants are above pubs when it comes to guide books

OPINION

Lack of guide books means people are not finding pubs

By Tim Bird, owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns

Where have all the guides gone? That is my question and I am not referring to the helpful folk who talk us around a stately home or indeed the younger version who help the community, collect badges and, in my experience, bake rather nice cakes for charity.

Level the burden: Andy Slee of SIBA has called for fairness on taxation

OPINION

Unfair tax system must be fixed

By Andy Slee, chief executive, Society of Independent brewers (SIBA)

In a free market economy, Governments help things that are good for society and tax things that aren’t. Life should really be that simple.

Property refurbs: this week's round-up features Robinson's, Star Pubs & Bars, Admiral Taverns and Punch

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Robinsons and Almond Pubs invest £500k into Manchester site

By Rebecca Weller

In this week's property round-up, Almond Pubs director Vicki Williams discusses the new look for the Fletcher's Arms in Manchester and ongoing "conversations" about future partnerships with Robinsons Brewery.

'Tis the season: JDW's Christmas menu will be available from 15 November

JDW hikes Christmas dinner price by 13%

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has raised the price of its Christmas dinner by 13% for 2023, but the pub goliath claims it’s still “excellent value”.

Community payback: Stroud Brewery boss Greg Pilley says local sourcing for staff and suppliers has reciprocal result

OPINION

Can't afford to save the planet?

By Greg Pilley, managing director, Stroud Brewery

How often do you find yourself having to balance your values against cost?

Property passport: Operators open sites across the globe

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

BrewDog eyes Asia expansion after Hong Kong launch

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

It's been a big month for BrewDog, with new sites launching in Hong Kong and Amsterdam, and now the operator is looking to further spread its wings into Asia.

Sobering view: non-alcoholic occasions should be seen as an opportunity says Hari Fell

OPINION

Sober October deniers’ pubs will struggle to survive

By Hari Fell, Tudor Farmhouse Hotel, Clearwell, Gloucestershire, and founder of NoLo Cocktails

As a hotelier of 20 years and having given up alcohol more than four years ago, I read Gav Young’s opinion piece ‘A Pub is for life not for 10 months of the year’ with dismay.

Standing out: Little Door & Co managing director and co-founder Kamran Dehdashti (left) with director and co-founder Jamie Hazeel

OPINION

Company culture: how we can stand out from the pack

By Kamran Dehdashti and Jamie Hazeel, founders, Little Door & Co

In the current economic climate, many hospitality businesses are finding the conditions tougher than ever – margins are being squeezed across the board, and revenue is less reliable and consistent than before.

Operator opinion: Gav Young of the Plough and Barleycorn in the Isle of Wight has his say on Sober October

OPINION

'A pub is for life, not for 10 months of the year'

By Gav Young, the Plough and Barleycorn, Isle of Wight

As if ‘Dry January’ wasn’t enough, the geniuses at Macmillan have joined in with Sober October. I guess when your CEO earns in excess of £190,000, originality is too much to ask!

Property refurbs: this week's round-up features Admiral Taverns and Stonegate

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Historic Notting Hill pub restored to 'former glory'

By Rebecca Weller

In this week's property refurbishment round-up, we spoke to operator of the Walmer Castle in Notting Hill about the historic pub's restoration while reopening's from Admiral Taverns, Inn Collection Group and Slug & Lettuce also feature.

Shooting for the stars: What sets a Michelin-rated gastropub apart?

What makes a Michelin Star pub?

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

21 gastropubs have gained Michelin stars since the trailblazing Stagg inn became the first pub to win the accolade in 2001. But what makes Michelin-starred pubs a cut above the rest? We spoke to chefs of some of the country's most prestigious venues...

Stephen Terry’s Abergavenny restaurant The Hardwick closes

Top 50 Gastropub closes its doors

By Restaurant

Stephen Terry’s Abergavenny restaurant The Hardwick has closed suddenly after nearly two decades in business.

Treasured jewel: Shepherd Neame invests more than £2.5m into its pub estate (Pictured: the Tom Cribb pub in London)

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Shepherd Neame MD: 'pub's should reflect their heritage'

By Rebecca Weller

Pub refurbishments should reflect market trends while honouring their history, Shepherd Neame managing director Jonathon Swaine told The Morning Advertiser, as the pubco invests more than £2.5m into its estate.

Hidden costs: Karen Errington of top gastropub the Rat at Anick outlines how rising prices are impacting her business

OPINION

'It's much harder to keep people happy'

By Karen Errington, the Rat, Anick, Northumberland

When I was asked to write an opinion piece on the issues that affect us in the industry today, it was nigh on impossible to write about anything other than rising costs and the struggle for us small businesses to stay viable.

Good timing: Bath Pub Company co-founder Joe Cussens (pictured) told the MA he was looking forward to doing something different following St Austell acquirement

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

'Good timing' for St Austell takeover of Bath Pub Co

By Rebecca Weller

After a “tumultuous few years’” in the sector, managing director and co-founder of the Bath Pub Company, Joe Cussens, told The Morning Advertiser (MA) it was time for a “new chapter” for both him and the business.

Operator opinion: 'It’s quite depressing that none of the parties are offering any solution to the continuing UK labour shortages', says Brendan Padfield

OPINION

Batten down and call out Brexit

By Brendan Padfield, owner, the Unruly Pig, Bromeswell, Suffolk

As autumn beckons, sadly further clouds appear to be gathering for the hospitality sector. Many of our team at the Unruly Pig are not alone facing whopping increases in their mortgage payments from October to December, which will significantly adversely...

Bright side: Food inflation marginally slows (Credit: Getty/SolStock)

Food inflation falls to 21.7%

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Inflation as measured by the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index fell marginally to 21.7% year-on-year in July.

Plated up: What times of day do you offer food? (Credit: Getty/ Pekic)

POLL: What times of day do you serve food?

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pubs are tapping into the brunch trend, with more and more venues serving up all-round food offers and upping the game with their breakfast offering.

Value offer is still great quality: Mick Howard, whose role includes overseeing the Just Add Talent model pubs

BIG INTERVIEW

Why the JAT model is a Star for Heineken’s pubco

By Gary Lloyd

In the week Star Pubs & Bars announced it was set to boost the number of it Just Add Talent model pubs by 67%, operations director Mick Howard explained more about the move and what he would like to see from the current Government to help the sector.

Building a rapport: securing guest taps in pubs crucial to success for small breweries (pictured: Titsey Brewery new taproom)

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Top tips from Titsey on brewing success

By Rebecca Weller

Building a strong rapport with local communities to secure guest ale taps in pubs is crucial to the success of a small brewery, but quality and marketing are top of the list for Kent-based Titsey Brewery.

How is Tom Kerridge facing industry challenges?

Big Interview

Government needs to do more: Kerridge

By Ed Bedington

“There’s a huge amount the Government could and should be doing,” according to leading chef and pub operator Tom Kerridge, with a key issue being a reduction in VAT.

Business option: Chef Central will utilise the existing Booker infrastructure

Booker unveils low-cost business function

By Nikkie Thatcher

Food and drink wholesaler Booker has launched a new business function, designed to be a low cost, high service option for new customers.

What does the future hold for CAMRA?

Big Interview

'There's no silver bullet'

By Ed Bedington

With challenges facing the sector and pub closures rising, how can CAMRA play a positive role to help the sector move forward?

One's a crowd: How should pubs handle solo dining? (Credit: Getty/ DjelicS)

'Solo diners should feel welcome'

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pub operators have shared their two cents on guests eating alone after a two Michelin-starred restaurant announced solo diners would be charged double for the price of a tasting menu.

New rules: the change came into force on 1 August (image: Getty/Henrik Sorensen)

OPINION

What does the alcohol duty change mean for pubs?

By Eddie Murphy, managing director, PLS

By now you will understand from 1 August, alcohol duty has been changed by the Government in the UK, leaving aside much of the technical details (mainly for producers) please see a summary of the primary issues affecting publicans.

Property: artist impression demonstrates what the Major Oak pub will look like

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Yorkshire Pub Stuff takes on sixth Star lease

By Rebecca Weller

Northern England based multisite operator, Yorkshire Pub Stuff, has taken on its sixth long-term lease with Star Pubs & Bars.

Impact of new alcohol duty rules on pubs

OPINION

Thanks for next to nothing, Mr Prime Minister

By Ed Bedington

The days when Rishi Sunak was viewed as the white knight of the pub trade, riding to the rescue with furlough, VAT cuts, business rates holidays and (maybe) Eat Out To Help Out are now something of a dim and distant memory.

Interview with Great British Beer Festival champion Elland Brewery

GBBF 2023

VIDEO: Interview with GBBF champion Elland Brewery

By Gary Lloyd

West Yorkshire-based Elland Brewery is a three-person operation – yet this tiny business took the coveted title of Champion Beer of Britain at this week’s Great British Beer Festival (GBBF). Here, the trio tells The Morning Advertiser about the victory...

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