Rebuilding the Pub Sector

October train strikes will ‘further damage’ sector

20-Sep-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Train strikes, planned to take place in early October, will “further damage” the hospitality sector, which is already suffering from soaring electricity bills, said trade bodies.

Train strikes to resume in October

20-Sep-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Train drivers are set to stage strikes in early October in a long-running fight for higher wages and improved working conditions.

Drinks sales dip again as costs increase

20-Sep-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in Britain’s managed pubs, bars, and restaurants were 4% down during the seven days to Saturday 10 September compared with the same week in 2021, the latest CGA by NielsenIQ’s Drinks Recovery Tracker has revealed.

59% hike in hospitality insolvencies

20-Sep-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Insolvencies of pubs, bars and restaurants have increased by 59% from 1,354 to 2,156 over the past year, with spikes in energy bills forcing many to consider closure.

LTC launches financial support platform

14-Sep-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) has compiled useful resources to help the sector manage finances as the cost-of-living crisis bites, including financial grants and a 24/7 helpline.

Drinks sales in August 'inflation beating'

13-Sep-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in Britain’s managed pubs, bars, and restaurants in the seven days to Saturday 3 September were 10% ahead compared with the same week last year, the latest CGA by NielsenIQ’s latest Drinks Recovery Tracker has revealed.

Action is needed now Liz

06-Sep-2022 By Ed Bedington

So the wait is finally over and the one MP most of her colleagues didn’t think was up to the job is now moving into number 10, but hey ho, what do they know that the wider Conservative membership doesn’t…

Drinks sales 0.5% ahead of a year ago

05-Sep-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in Britain’s managed pubs, bars, and restaurants in the seven days to Saturday 27 August were 0.5% ahead compared with the same week one year ago, the latest CGA by Nielsen IQ’s Drinks Recovery Tracker has revealed.

Chancellor’s multibillion-pound tax cuts package plan

02-Sep-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has outlined plans for a multibillion-pound package of tax cuts to help businesses facing collapse due to rising energy costs.

Just half of Britain’s 10 biggest cities in growth

31-Aug-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Food and drink sales at pubs, bars and restaurants are in growth in only half of Britain’s 10 biggest city centres, as mounting financial challenges take their toll.

Energy crisis: Warning of slashed wages and redundancies

30-Aug-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The energy crisis could lead to slashed wages and redundancies unless Government hands hospitality an “urgent and comprehensive” support package, according to UKHospitality.

Drinks sales 1% down vs 2019

30-Aug-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in Britain’s managed pubs, bars, and restaurants were 1% down in the seven days to Saturday 20 August compared with the same week in 2019, the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker has revealed.

Opinion

I think we’re alone now...

26-Aug-2022 By Ed Bedington

What will it take for this Government to wake up and face the reality of the energy crisis for business?

Gov support needed in ‘nightmarish’ utility crisis

24-Aug-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pub operators have called for Government support after soaring energy bills plunge the sector into a “dire situation”.

Honesty crucial amid cost-of-living crisis

23-Aug-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Transparency is key for SMEs in navigating price increases as the cost-of-living crisis continues for both businesses and consumers, Metro Bank has stated.

Three quarters of pubs facing extinction

23-Aug-2022 By Ed Bedington

Nearly three quarters of pubs are unlikely to survive the winter unless action is taken to solve the energy crisis.

Drinks sales 9% ahead of 2019

22-Aug-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in Britain’s managed pubs, bars, and restaurants in the seven days to Saturday 13 August were 9% ahead of the same week in 2019, the latest CGA by NielsenIQ’s Drinks Recovery Tracker has revealed.

Drinks sales 4% ahead of 2019

16-Aug-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Average sales by value in Britain’s managed pubs, restaurants, and bars in the seven days to Saturday 6 August were 4% ahead of the same week in 2019, the latest CGA by NielsenIQ’s Drinks Recovery Tracker has revealed.

Fuel costs decrease but sector suffers 'uncertainty'

09-Aug-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Fuel prices have begun to slowly decrease, potentially lessening the strain on supply chains, but businesses are still suffering “uncertainty” as consumers continue to grapple with the cost-of-living squeeze.

Lord: crisis is more damaging than covid

09-Aug-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord has demanded the Government return to parliament to intervene in the economic issues that are “more damaging than Covid”.

Action needed as hospitality leaders’ confidence plummets

05-Aug-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The confidence of pub, bar and restaurant leaders has tumbled over the second quarter of 2022 after costs soared for both businesses and consumers, according to CGA and Fourth’s second-quarter Business Confidence Survey.

‘We need further, immediate support’

02-Aug-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

UKHospitality Scotland new chairman Chris Wayne-Wills opened up on the sector’s struggles with housing infrastructure, skyrocketing costs and a shortage of staff.

Mergers and acquisitions could save SMEs

28-Jul-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Turnover in bars and restaurants has continued to struggle in the aftermath of the pandemic, particularly big businesses, while other sub-sectors within the food and drink industry have remained flat, research from the second annual Shaw & Co Food...

BBPA calls for reform of 'outdated' business rates system

25-Jul-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has called on the Government for a cap on bill increases and a review of the sector’s businesses rates.

Free ‘alfresco’ licences up for grabs to city pubs

20-Jul-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pubs and bars in Square Mile, central London, are gearing up for a summer of ‘alfresco’ dining after the City of London Corporation agreed to grant free pavement licences to hospitality businesses.

British holidaymakers urged to visit pubs

20-Jul-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) is urging Brits to visit pubs as part of their staycation this summer, with warm weather set to continue after this week’s heatwave.

Like-for-like sales up 5% in June

20-Jul-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

June’s like-for-like sales at Britain’s top managed pub, bar and restaurant groups were 5% ahead of pre-Covid levels in June 2019, the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker has revealed.

UKH: reductions under reformed business rates must be reflected fast

20-Jul-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Sector businesses must be granted any reduction under reformed business rates as “rapidly as possible” says UKHospitality.

New Prime Minister must support pubs, says BBPA

18-Jul-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Amidst the race to become the new Prime Minister, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has issued all Conservative candidates a manifesto setting out what action needs to be taken to help the industry.

15% of pubs say business no longer viable

18-Jul-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has called for Government support to ensure the future survival of pubs, after a survey of its members revealed the fragility of the sector as it battles huge economic challenges.

GDP grows 0.5% but sector remains behind

14-Jul-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The hospitality sector saw a decline in May despite the UK economy having grown by 0.5%, the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed.

Hospitality recovery thwarted by staff shortages and spiralling costs

13-Jul-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Sales are back to pre-Covid levels, but 15% of roles remain vacant, costs are spiralling and consumer spending is being hit by cost-of-living challenges, a report has revealed.

Drinks sales down 7% vs 2019 during week of rail strikes

04-Jul-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Average sales by value for managed venues in the seven days to Saturday 25 June were 7% down on the same week in 2019 as the biggest rail dispute for more than 30 years impacted city-centre and after-work occasions, according to the latest CGA by NielsenIQ...

Number of pubs in England & Wales reaches record low

04-Jul-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The number of English and Welsh pubs fell below 40,000 for the first time during the first half of 2022, having fallen by 7,107 in the past 10 years, new research from real estate adviser Altus Group has revealed.

Reopening nightclubs 'key' to regenerating high street

29-Jun-2022 By Rebecca Weller

UK’s late-night economy harbours “an abundance of resilience and entrepreneurial spirit”, having a huge part to play in the regeneration of high streets and towns nationwide, according to the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA).

Hospitality Ulster joins UKH to combat labour shortages

28-Jun-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Hospitality Ulster and teamed up with UKHospitality (UKH) to launch its a workforce strategy to upskill the sector staff in Northern Ireland in a bid to tackle labour shortages.

City pubs see 50% decline in weekend sales following rail strikes

27-Jun-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Weekend rail strikes saw hospitality sales “hugely affected”, particularly in London and Manchester, with some city pubs having reported a 50% decline in sales, according to S4labour and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Triple whammy warning over NI hospitality sector

27-Jun-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Hospitality businesses in Northern Ireland are facing a triple threat from rising business costs to a lack of consumers’ disposable cash and labour shortages, according to Hospitality Ulster chief executive Colin Neill.

Vote now: Which day of the week has the highest level of trade for your pub?

23-Jun-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Hybrid working and the cost-of-living crisis have had a significant impact to on premise trading patterns, new research from CGA and NielsenIQ has revealed.

Late-night sector losing up to 40% trade due to strikes

23-Jun-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Late-night hospitality businesses are losing up to 40% of trade because of the ongoing rail strikes, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).

UKH Scotland appoints new chairman

22-Jun-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Crerar Hotels chief executive Chris Wayne-Wills has been appointed UKHospitality Scotland chairman as the sector grapples with unprecedented financial pressures and workforce shortages.

NTIA braces for strike action impact

20-Jun-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The events sector is bracing itself for this week’s planned rail strikes, which are due to have a substantial hit on trade, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).

Sector suffers ‘discernible’ drop in confidence

13-Jun-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Confidence levels in the future of the hospitality sector have fallen dramatically between November last year and now, according to research by accountancy firm Haysmacintyre.

The MA's Review of the Week

Never been a greater need for innovation

10-Jun-2022 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Creative Hospitality's Bruno Nunes for his take on the big news this week, from pessimism in the face of the oncoming challenge through to reinvention for survival.

Rail strikes will have 'devastating' impact on sector

09-Jun-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Rail strikes confirmed to take place later this month will have a “devastating” impact on the hospitality industry as it continues to rebuild following the pandemic, according to trade bodies and representatives across the sector.

Are we all doomed?

09-Jun-2022 By Ed Bedington

According to Luke Johnson, we might as well pack up our bags and go home, but are we as doomed as he suggests?

Industry facing 'two years of hell'

08-Jun-2022 By Ed Bedington

The industry is facing “two years of hell” and needs to “batten down the hatches and probably pray” according to one leading sector investor.

Spending slows for pubs due to cost-of-living crisis

07-Jun-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Consumer spending slowed by 1.2% for pubs, clubs and bars in May compared to the same period in 2021, as the cost-of-living crisis squeezes Brits’ budgets.

Night Time Enterprise Zones will boost London’s recovery

07-Jun-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Mayor of London has announced today (7 June) a £500,000 programme to create Night Time Enterprise Zones in the capital to fuel London’s economic recovery.

Pub partnerships saw £360m cancelled rent during pandemic

07-Jun-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Just under three quarters (70%) of operators who received support from a pub company during the pandemic felt satisfied with the help provided, according to new research from insight agency KAM Media.