Legislation

Licensing Act Consultation ‘overwhelmingly positive’

07-Mar-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Trade bodies have ‘strongly urged’ the Government to make permanent provisions rolled out during the pandemic, stating this would be “overwhelmingly positive” for hospitality.

NTIA warns 1 in 4 NTE firms at risk in next 12 months

06-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

About one in four independent and culture businesses are at risk of “being lost” in the next six months, the second Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) Night-Time Economy Report has revealed.

SLTA hits back over DRS claims

03-Mar-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has called for swift action over its fears for the August introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) because there are still many unanswered questions about its operation and believes small businesses...

Hospitality Strategy marks ‘substantial progress’

02-Mar-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

An update on Government’s Hospitality Strategy unveiled yesterday (1 March), has revealed “substantial progress” has been made in the sector’s recovery, according to UKHospitality (UKH).

DRS administrator confident recycling scheme will begin on time

02-Mar-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Circularity Scotland is confident Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is on course for an August launch despite previous protestations from trade bodies.

BBPA warns 2,000 pubs at risk of closure

01-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Some two-thousand pubs could close without a "plan for sustainable growth" in the Chancellor's Spring Budget later this month, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has stated.

New NI trade deal ‘encouraging’

28-Feb-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The new Windsor Framework has been welcomed by a number of trade bodies, alongside hopes it will deliver clarity for businesses in Northern Ireland.

Urgent review of DRS plea by Scottish trade associations

27-Feb-2023 By Gary Lloyd

A collective representing drinks producers in Scotland has demanded an urgent review of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) that is set to come into force in August.

Firms ‘duped’ into signing ‘inflated’ energy contracts

27-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government needs to tell energy suppliers to “stop being greedy” and allow businesses to renegotiate contracts after being “duped” into agreeing to “inflated” prices, according to one West Yorkshire-based operator.

Gov calls for views to help improve business rates

23-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government has called on firms that receive a business rates bill to take part in research to help improve the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) service.

Foodservice inflation in first fall since 2021

23-Feb-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Foodservice price inflation dropped to 22% in January in an “encouraging” start for hospitality, but challenges persist, the new edition of the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index has revealed.

Third of sector at risk of going under

23-Feb-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

A third (32%) of hospitality businesses are at risk of failure in the next 12 months, an industry poll has revealed.

Tackling root cause of inflation 'critical' in Spring Budget

22-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Tackling the root causes of inflation in the upcoming Budget is “critical” to enable the sector to return to “driving economic growth” after “surprise surplus” in Government finances.

Scottish trade bodies demands answers over DRS

22-Feb-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Trade bodies have demanded clarity over the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) after Circularity Scotland announced £22m would be made available to support drinks producers.

Inflation rates continue to 'hinder' sector

15-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Inflation rates show “promising” signs but price increases continue to “hinder” the hospitality sector, according to UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls.

Sector 'cannot afford' more 'economic pain' from rail strikes

13-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport’s (RMT) rejection of new pay offers “so frustrating” for “embattled” hospitality, UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has stated.

Outdoor seating without planning permission likely in Scotland

13-Feb-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pubs in Scotland are expected to be allowed to put tables and chairs on pavements outside their premises without submitting planning applications from the end of March.

Hospitality is suffering impact of recession

10-Feb-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The hospitality sector is suffering despite official figures showing the UK narrowly avoided falling into recession in 2022, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.

Sector welcomes Gov reshuffle

09-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The hospitality sector has welcomed the creation of a new Government department to focus on energy security.

‘Hospitality can help reduce inflation’

06-Feb-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

UKHospitality (UKH) has highlighted how the sector can help reduce inflation and deliver growth if given the right support on energy.

Many firms won’t meet DRS deadline

06-Feb-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Trade associations have warned the Scottish government thousands of businesses are unable to meet the deadline to implement the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

Warnings of thousands more closures without help

06-Feb-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

A number of trade bodies have warned there will be further pub closures if the Government doesn’t step in to help businesses battle ‘devastating energy costs’.

Rising interest rates not 'all doom and gloom'

03-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Interest rate increases are not all “doom and gloom” for the hospitality sector however it is important the Chancellor takes the added “pressure” into account in the upcoming Spring Budget.

Pub closures should be 'urgent wake up call' for Gov

02-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Some 21 pubs a week closed or lost their licenses between July and December last year, new figures from the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) have revealed.

Sector won't survive 'further austerity or crises'

02-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government cannot “ignore the growing frustration and anger” of industrial action “hammering” businesses across the UK, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.

Opinion

Raising standards for tied pub tenants

02-Feb-2023 By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

I am pleased to say the fieldwork for the 2023 tied tenant survey has begun and is going well.

1 in 3 pubs reducing opening days to mitigate energy costs

01-Feb-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

A third of businesses are cutting trading days as a result of the spiralling energy bills, according to trade body research.

Gov ‘needs to invest in sector or lose pubs forever’

01-Feb-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government has been warned to deliver a plan for sustainable growth for pubs and breweries or risk losing them.

New survey shows 'devastation' of soaring energy costs

01-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

New collaborative research from trade bodies across the sector demonstrates the extent of “devastation” caused by energy costs.

Sector can provide 'rapid economic growth' with right support

31-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Recent economic growth predictions are a “frustrating reflection” of the challenges that lie ahead while the hospitality sector remains “hamstrung” by pandemic loans, trade body UKHopsitality (UKH) has stated.

Survey reveals Xmas trade down for 50% of SLTA members

31-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Almost half (45%) of operators are facing energy cost increases of more than 250%, a snapshot survey from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has revealed.

8 in 10 firms ‘on knife edge’

30-Jan-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Some 82% of night-time economy firms could be under threat as the new Energy Relief Scheme from the Government will have no impact on them, research has shown.

Gov should see sector as 'key driver' in economic growth

30-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government should remember established industries like hospitality are “key drivers” and play a “significant role” in economic growth, according to trade bodies from across the sector.

opinion

Pubs in a recession: how hospitality can cope with economic downturn

27-Jan-2023 By Sam Martin, CEO of Peckwater Brands

For many of us, pubs are a mainstay of daily life – a regular hangout for meeting friends, a post-work haunt for colleagues or a venue for sports, live music or comedy.

77% businesses want late night levy axed

26-Jan-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

More than three quarters (75%) of night time economy businesses have called for the late night levy (LNL) to be abolished.

NTIA claims energy firms 'withholding' money

25-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has claimed energy companies have been withholding money and subsidy benefit from the Energy Bill Relief Scheme as well as excluding certain businesses from energy supply.

Late Night Levy ‘stifles sector’s recovery’

25-Jan-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

UKHospitality (UKH) has claimed the Late Night Levy suffocates businesses, costing venues £365,000 last year.

BBPA calls for inquiry into energy 'profiteering'

25-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has called on Chairs of the Treasury and Business Select Committees to conduct an urgent inquiry into reports of poor conduct from energy suppliers.

UKH 'fully behind' coronation plans

25-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

UKHospitality (UKH) has shared its full support for the Government’s proposals to extend opening hours for hospitality businesses over the upcoming coronation weekend.

Operators urged to ditch single-use items

24-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Zero Waste Scotland is calling on hospitality businesses to ditch single-use items after a pilot scheme found a huge fall in the use of common disposable goods.

Lord demands probe into withheld energy support

23-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord has demanded a fast-track investigation into why energy support for hospitality businesses has been withheld.

DRS causes 'significant barriers to trade'

23-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Trade bodies from across the sector “support” the initiative behind Deposit Recycling Schemes (DRS) but proposed plans place “unnecessary complexity and costs” on small businesses.

Gov reveals DRS details

20-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Environment minister Rebecca Pow has today (Friday 20 January) announced new plans for the Deposit Return Scheme to reduce litter and plastic pollution.

Are you trading in line with expectations?

19-Jan-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

January has always been a quiet month for the hospitality trade and this year also has the ongoing challenges of the energy and cost-of-living crises.

Gov injects more than £1m into pubs

19-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government has invested more than £1m from the Community Ownership Fund into pubs across the country, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has revealed.

Night-time businesses facing 'monumental challenge'

19-Jan-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

London night czar Amy Lamé has called on the Government for urgent support to help the capital’s high streets after 6pm.

Sector 'collateral damage' in rail strikes furore

18-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Hospitality sites are “collateral damage” in ongoing rail disputes, industry trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has stated.

PCA launches Annual Tied Tenant Survey

16-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has called on tied publicans to take part in its Annual Tied Tenants Survey to help “restore the balance” in the relationship between tied tenants and pubcos.

Plastic ban: sustainability sector’s ‘key priority’

16-Jan-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The ban on single-use plastic plates, cutlery and bowls offers time for alternate markets of sustainable packaging to develop, but there are concerns about its practicality according to UKHospitality.

Lack of support hampers Scottish hospitality

16-Jan-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A lack of business rates support for Scottish hospitality is unfairly hindering the sector in comparison to English businesses, according to UKHospitality (UKH) Scotland.