Legal

Inflation figures should be 'stark reality check' for Gov

22-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Recent inflation figures should be a “stark reality check” for the Government, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

£2.1m ploughed into pubs this week

21-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A combined sum of £2.1m has been invested in pubs this week by Admiral Taverns and Shepherd Neame.

Fears over legislation void ‘risks threat of terrorism’

20-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

A refusal by the Government to implement legislation for security businesses is putting the sector at risk from terrorist threats, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and the UK Door Security Association (UKDSA).

More than a third have faced discrimination in sector

20-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Social enterprise Be Inclusive Hospitality’s latest report has found more than a third of hospitality workers (33.7%) have experienced discrimination in the workplace.

ASLEF July overtime ban 'another setback' for sector

20-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Next month's overtime ban from the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) is "another setback" for the industry, trade body UKHospitality has stated.

200 pubs closed in first quarter of 2023

19-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Some 200 pubs closed their doors in the first three months of this year, according data obtained by one accountancy firm.

Star licensees given free PoS kits to support new charity deal

19-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Heineken UK has announced a new charity partnership with the Marmalade Trust in a bid to help tackle loneliness.

Drinks sales hit 15% year-on-year growth

19-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in managed venues achieved double-digit year-on-year growth in the seven days to Saturday 10 June, the latest Drinks Recovery Tracker from CGA by NIQ has revealed.

‘Treat potential employees as you would guests’

16-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Hospitality’s recruitment crisis can be tackled through revising the hiring process, putting wellbeing first and keeping an open mind in employment, advised the founder of consultancy agency Sixty Eight People.

Review of the Week

Reasons to be cheerful

16-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with the BII's Steve Alton to take a look at the week's events, from epic cycle rides to positive news on business rates and beyond.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Legal Q&A: adults purchasing alcohol for minors in pubs

16-Jun-2023 By Jonathan Smith, partner, Poppleston Allen

This week’s column from licensing firm Poppleston Allen advises operators how to proceed in situations involving customers over the age of 18 attempting to purchase alcohol in pubs for patrons that are under 18.

Boris Partygate findings ‘devastating news’ for hospitality

15-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A new report revealing former Prime Minister Boris Johnson deliberately misled parliament over 10 Downing Street parties is “devastating news” for hospitality, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).

Hospitality needs to change the "relentlessly negative" narrative

15-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

The hospitality sector needs to change the narrative on doom and gloom if it wants to attract young talent into the business, according to former Sainsbury’s CEO Justin King.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

King Pins to launch in Manchester, Pearmain acquires country pub

15-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pearmain Pub Company has acquired a country pub and bowling venue King Pins prepares for its Manchester launch.

Labour vows to back high streets and overhaul business rates

15-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Jonathan Reynolds, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Industrial Strategy, has pledged to "breathe life back into the high streets" by supporting the hospitality sector.

A third willing to pay more for sustainable options at pubs

14-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

More than a third (34%) of Brits are happy to spend more money on sustainable options when eating at pubs, bars and restaurants.

Gov support could see hospitality boost economy by £29bn

14-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The past six years have seen hospitality boost its annual economic contribution by £20bn to £93bn, according to new research by UKHospitality (UKH).

75% lack confidence in their business's future

14-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Three quarters of business leaders lack confidence in the future, new research from The Morning Advertiser has revealed.

BBPA calls for Gov action as sector boosts GDP figures

14-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has called for “meaningful action” to tackle fiscal headwinds as GDP figures released today (Wednesday 14 June) showed a 0.2% increase to the economy – buoyed by visits to pubs.

Foodservice inflation jumps back above 20%

14-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Year-on-year foodservice inflation has jumped up to 21.4% after slowing at the end of March – the first time it had dropped below 20% since mid-2022.

£3m fund to help pubs’ energy costs from Heineken

14-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Drinks business Heineken UK has vowed to invest £3m into helping cover the cost of selected pubs’ first energy saving audit along with up to £5,000 towards the cost of any improvements needed.

OPINION

Are pubcos going to exploit rate relief?

14-Jun-2023 By Phil Dixon, trade adviser

It was ‘Black Country Bus’ Syndrome: Two, one million pounds turnover local publicans contacting me in the matter of a few days.

Hilton boss takes over chair role at UKHospitality

13-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Hilton UK & Ireland managing director Steve Cassidy will take over the role of chair at UKHospitality (UKH) tomorrow (Wednesday 14 June) from Steve Richards, CEO of Parkdean Resorts, who will become president for the trade body.

The Lock In Podcast

Wasp wrangling and other tips for summer success

13-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

Wasps can ruin many a pub garden experience, but how best to handle them? The Lock In team tackled the perennial pests and other top tips on making the most of summer trade.

Almost 37k nights workers at risk of double ULEZ charge

12-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has called for a revision of London’s current Transport for London system, which currently puts some 36,990 night workers at risk of being charged twice in one shift under the ULEZ scheme.

DRS ‘reduced to a tardy political battle’ says SLTA

09-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The SLTA (Scottish Licensed Trade Association) has welcomed the news Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will be delayed until at least October 2025 but warned politics must be left out of it in future.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

10 top tips for a successful summer

08-Jun-2023 By Joe Harvey, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

With a recent spate of, dare I say it, reasonable weather, one cannot help but start getting a little excited about summer.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Rekom to open 2nd Proud Mary pub

08-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Rekom is set to launch its second Proud Mary pub in Swansea, while pubs from Hyde, Star, Castle Pubs and SALT have reopened after revamps.

Controversial Deposit Return Scheme delayed until October 2025

07-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Trade bodies have welcomed the opportunity for a more collaborative approach to finalising the details of Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) after the start of the initiative was delayed for the third time.

How to avoid 'rogue' business rates agents

07-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Valuations Office Agency (VOA) has urged pub owners to “protect themselves” against “rogue” business rates agent.

Marston’s stands out on tenant satisfaction

06-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

Tenant satisfaction with their pubcos remained unchanged from last year, according to a recent survey by the pubs code adjudicator (PCA), with Marston’s and Greene King notable exceptions.

Bristol alfresco drinking is here to stay after 5k sign petition

06-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Bars and restaurants in Bristol city centre will be able to extend their pavement licences for outdoor seating, after an online petition amassed more than 5,000 signatures.

‘Business owners powerless at hands of energy suppliers’

06-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

A number of organisations representing a variety of businesses have pleaded to the Government for urgent action on the energy crisis.

POLL: Have your say on the sector

06-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Business leaders are torn on how they feel about trade, with some struggling but others feeling confident for the future.

Scotland and UK cannot afford to lose DRS says administrator

06-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Too much money has been invested into the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for it not to go ahead as planned says the initiative’s organiser Circularity Scotland.

Arundel crowned Sussex hotspot for pubs

05-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Arundel has been named Sussex’s number one pub hotspot with more sites per capita than any other town in the county, new research has revealed.

Optimism rising among hospitality leaders

05-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Optimism among leaders of Britain’s top hospitality groups has risen since the start of 2023, according to the latest Business Confidence Survey from CGA by NIQ and Fourth.

Bistro hit with worst trading week in 7 years

05-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The operator of the Pig & Whistle, Beverley, was left “broken” after rail strikes and the cost-of-living crisis triggered the worst trading week in seven years.

Seaside pub wins long-term protection from noise complaints

02-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A ‘much-loved’ grassroots music pub in Shoreham, West Sussex, has been granted long-time protection from noise complaints after its operators instructed lawyers.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Are licensees responsible for drink-driving customers?

02-Jun-2023 By Carl Weston, head of marketing and partner (non-solicitor), Poppleston Allen

Legal expert Poppleston Allen looks at the responsibility of blame when it comes to drink-driving and on-trade operators.

‘Get a grip’ on train strikes call from BrewDog boss

02-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

BrewDog boss James Brown has demanded the Government “get a grip” of ongoing train strikes, which have lasted for almost a year, to save independent hospitality businesses.

Sixty Eight People arrives in England’s capital

01-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Female-led hospitality recruitment and training consultancy Sixty Eight People has launched a new office in Euston, central London.

UKH calls for chefs to be added to immigration list

01-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

UKHospitality (UKH) has urged the Government to add chefs to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), in order to alleviate persistent shortages.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

£1.4m ploughed into pubs & music venues

01-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Proper Pubs has put £1m into upgrades, Admiral Taverns has invested more than £347,000 into two Staffordshire pubs, and around £97,500 has been ploughed into grassroots music venues across the country.

BBPA and BII push Gov to fill pubs vacancies

31-May-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Chefs from overseas must be included on the Government’s Shortage Occupation List, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and the British institute of Innkeeping (BII).

Pubs prosper on final May bank holiday weekend

31-May-2023 By Gary Lloyd

A huge weekend of sport combined with great weather ensured the latest bank holiday resulted in strong sales for the on-trade.

Only 1 in 3 firms optimistic about future as energy costs soar by 80%

30-May-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Just 29% of hospitality businesses are optimistic about the next 12 months with energy cited as their biggest concern, new data has showed.

£97.5k ploughed into grassroots music venues

30-May-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Some 23 grassroots music venues, including four pubs, have scored charity grants in the fourth round of Music Venue Trust’s (MVT) pipeline investment fund.

Continued drinks sales growth impacted by inflation

30-May-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Early May bank holidays have helped pubs and bar drinks sales reach year-on-year growth for fourth week in a row but with inflation still in double digits, real-terms growth remains elusive.

'Eye-watering' impact of rail strikes to hit £3.25bn

30-May-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Half-term rail strikes will cost the sector £132m, bringing the total “eye-watering” impact of the year-long strikes to £3.25bn, trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has claimed.