Property Law

Devon: Rekom UK to shut Plymouth PRYZM

Rekom to shut city's largest nightclub

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pryzm Plymouth will close for good after a final New Year’s Eve party as the cost-of-living crisis squeezes student budgets.

Hertfordshire: Villagers try saving the Plough King's Walden

Villagers rally to save their last pub

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Villagers have come together to save the last pub in King’s Walden which has been labelled the “heart of the community”.

The Carpenters Arms pub Eastling Kent under new ownership

PROPERTY ROUND UP

Trio takes on Shepherd Neame pub

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Three friends have come to the helm of a Shepherd Neame pub, while another venue has launched a fish & chip shop as operators expand their estate.

City centre venue: G-A-Y Late is set to shut next month (image: Getty/MicroStockHub)

‘Iconic’ LGBTQ+ venue to shut

By Nikkie Thatcher

Owner of G-A-Y Late Jeremy Joseph has announced the closure of the Soho venue, citing a number of external pressures as the reasons why.

Daily Drinks Tracker: sales remain flat ahead of Xmas (Credit: Getty/Wavebreakmedia)

Drinks sales flat ahead of Xmas period

By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales were 0.5% up compared to 2022 levels in the week to Saturday 18 November, remaining virtually flat ahead of the crucial run-in to Christmas for operators and suppliers.

Epic ineptitude: BrewDog CEO James Watt (pictured) condemns Durham council over opening of firm's new site in the city

James Watt accuses Durham council of 'staggering incompetence'

By Rebecca Weller

BrewDog’s James Watt has condemned Durham County Council for its “staggering display of incompetence” regarding the firm’s new site in the city, yet the council says it has worked "tirelessly" to help the Ellon-based firm.

Worrying sign: number of pub and bar insolvencies soars by 66% YOY (Credit: Getty/ilbusca)

Number of pub and bar insolvencies jumps 66% YOY

By Rebecca Weller

The number of pub and bar company insolvencies soared by two thirds in the year to September as high inflation and interest rates make turning a profit “impossible”.

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.

On the market: all 25 former Wear Inns pubs are up for sale (credit: Getty/Shaun Taylor)

Administrators appointed to former Wear Inns pubco

By Gary Lloyd

The property company that operated north-east-based pub business Wear Inns after it was acquired in August 2018 has gone into administration meaning all 25 sites are now on the market.

Iconic: Admiral refutes claims it let the Lincoln Imp turn to rack and ruin (Pictured: Exterior of the Lincoln Imp now and locals at the pub before its closure/Courtesy of Lorraine Briggs)

EXCLUSIVE

Admiral refutes 'rack and ruin' claims

By Rebecca Weller

Admiral Taverns has hit back at claims it has allowed a north Lincolnshire pub to go to “rack and ruin” in a bid to make way for building developments on the site.

Government action is vital: Sacha Lord says pubs are at breaking point

Lord: Gov must make major statement on 22 November

By Gary Lloyd

The Government must make positive changes in the upcoming Autumn Statement because pubs are already in a precarious position says night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord.

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.

Poll results: 68% of operators allow non-paying guests to use the toilet (Credit: Getty/Adam Gault)

68% of pubs allow non-paying guests to use toilets

By Rebecca Weller

The majority of pubs allow non-paying guests to use their toilet but urge customers to ask permission first and consider charity donations in lieu of a purchase, adding hospitality venues are “public houses not public conveniences”.

Sector figures: the report shows there were three net closures a day in the third quarter of 2023 (image: Getty/JuergenBosse)

Rate of site closures slows

By Nikkie Thatcher

While the number of Britain’s licensed premises dropped by 3.6% over the past 12 months, the pace has slowed as the ear has gone on.

Poll: do you allow non-paying customers to use the toilet at your pub? (Credit: Getty/miodrag ignjatovic)

POLL

Should pubs allow non-paying guests to use the toilet?

By Rebecca Weller

Should pubs allow non-paying customers to use the toilet? While it may be seen as the hospitable thing to do, there can be a cost to operators involved and rude guests to contend with.

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.

Shutting doors: Pub closures to continue in new year (Credit: Getty/ilbusca)

750 pubs set to close in first half of 2024

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) is calling for Government action after new data revealed 750 pubs are set to close in the first half of 2024.

Disparity: research shows no-shows are increasing but not all pubs are affected (credit: Getty/SolStock)

Pubs counter ‘no-shows double’ research claim

By Gary Lloyd

The unwelcome sight of increased numbers of ‘no-shows’ has reared its ugly head once again in the sector but not all pubs The Morning Advertiser spoke to are convinced the situation is getting worse.

Money money money: Pubs reopen after impressive makeovers

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Morgan Pub Collective site opens after £270k refurb

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Morgan Pub Collective has taken on its sixth pub with Greene King Pub Partners, a Surrey operator has taken on his second pub and Brakspear pumps £2m into two L&T sites.

Damage: Pubs are dealing with flooding after heavy downpour (Credit: Getty/ BremecR)

Storm Babet forces pubs to close

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A pub in Edinburgh has sustained thousands of pounds worth of damage after Storm Babet destroyed it "from top to bottom".

What are current trends in the pub property market?

What are the current trends in the property market?

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Morning Advertiser takes a deep dive into current trends in the property market. Cash is king and buyers are seeking honeypot locations and multiple income streams, while many are staying clear of borrowing from banks.

On-trade boost: sales of cider rose the most year-on-year last week (credit: Getty/ViewApart)

Weather and sport boost weekly drink sales

By Gary Lloyd

Drinks sales in the on-trade rose by 3% in the week to last Saturday (14 October) with the Rugby World Cup and good weather cited as the key drivers.

'Continuing difficulties': Sacha Lord speaks out on inflation

Sacha Lord: Inflation to cause ‘continuing difficulties’

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Sacha Lord, the night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, has said the unchanged Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rate released today (18 October) will pile further pressure on small business, especially those in hospitality.

Daily Drinks Tracker: drinks sales up 3.8% six months to September 2023 (Credit: Getty/ bogdankosanovic)

Drinks sales up 3.8% but real-terms growth 'hard-won'

By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in the on-trade were up 3.8% overall during the last six months, though inflation, rail strikes and soaring costs make real terms growth "hard-won", CGA data has revealed.

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.

Openings: Big news from Arc Inspirations, King Pins, AK Whelan

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

King Pins, AK Whelan open sites

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

In this week's property news, King Pins and AK Whelan announce new sites, as Arc Inspirations looks forward to its first foray into the east midlands.

Ghost towns: 30% of nightclubs have shut doors since the pandemic (Credit: Getty/ Flashpop)

'Youth culture is lost’

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Britain has lost 30% of nightclubs since Covid, and the ex-owner of the UK’s longest running club has argued that Gen Z need to spark a cultural shift to revolutionise nightlife.

Look back: A timeline of events since the Crooked House burned down

The Crooked House tragedy: as it happened

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The burning down of Britain’s wonkiest pub, the Crooked House, last month, sparked national outrage. Investigations are ongoing, and several people have been arrested under suspicion of arson. We take a look back at events to see how the tragedy unfolded.

Good news: Community venues secure Government funding: (Credit: Getty/ Henrik Sorensen)

Government secures £1.2m for 4 pubs

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

More than £1m has been earmarked for four pubs as part of the Government’s community ownership fund scheme, which UKHospitality (UKH) has celebrated as “really positive news”.

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.

The George Pub, Bethersden, opens cafe

‘If you don’t diversify you get stuck behind’

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A pub in Kent has celebrated the launch of its community café, and has advised operators to focus on quality coffee, keep adapting, and diversify the offering if they want to do the same.

Trading conditions: Lumina's new report gives insight into the sector (Credit: Getty/Dimensions)

70% of hospitality leaders face staffing challenges

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Around 70% of leaders in the hospitality sector are facing challenges with tough trading conditions expected to continue, according to the new Lumina Intelligence Top of Mind Report 2023.

Climbing back: Pubs and restaurants weather the storm of summer rain (Getty: Credit/Kar-Tr)

Pub sales growth in August 'encouraging'

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pubs overcame wet weather to record almost 5% growth in sales during August, which one trade body celebrated as “encouraging”.

Property round-up: Admiral Taverns and M&B included this week (Pictured: Admiral Taverns site The Camerons)

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Admiral invests £450k into pub estate

By Rebecca Weller

This week's property refurbishment and reopening's round-up includes investments made by Admiral Taverns, Mitchell's and Butlers and Robinsons Brewery.

Follow us

Property of the week

Most popular News

Pub Trade Guides

View more

Webinars

On-demand webinars

The Lock In Pub Podcast

Headlines