Legal

Star to pay £1.25m settlement over pubs code breaches

19-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Star Pubs & Bars has agreed to pay £1.25m to end a High Court litigation with the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) that began in 2019 after an investigation was launched into the pubco breaching the pubs code.

Trade bodies 'welcome' DRS delay

19-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The delay to the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Scotland has been welcomed by trade bodies across the sector.

BBPA: Ofgem is acting too slowly to save UK businesses

19-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Energy regulator Ofgem is moving at “glacial pace” when it comes to disciplining suppliers and putting hundreds of thousands of businesses on the verge of collapse, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

'Strength in numbers' needed to fight energy crisis

17-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The hospitality sector needs "strength in numbers" to challenge the cost of energy bills, night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, Sacha Lord, has stated.

Drinks sales over Easter weekend show 'solid trading'

17-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Easter bank holiday sales helped push drinks sales in on-premise settings into double-digit year-on-year growth, the latest Drinks Recovery Tracker from CGA by NIQ's has revealed.

City pub faces closure after ‘devastating’ arbitration judgment

14-Apr-2023 By Orla Noonan

An independent pub in King's Cross, London, is facing permanent closure following an “incomprehensible” arbitration order to pay £99,000 in rent for the pandemic period.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

How to run a raffle in your pub

13-Apr-2023 By Imogen Moss, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

As summer fete season draws ever nearer I am sure many venues will be thinking about running raffles.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

London Gin Club to join Mr Fogg's, pubs reopen after revamps

13-Apr-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The London Gin Club is set to join the Mr Fogg's group come summer, a village pub has been sold and other inns have reopened after makeovers costing thousands.

Drinks sales show 'fragility' of year-on-year growth

11-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in the on-trade were down by 3% in the seven days to Saturday 25 March, the latest Drinks Recovery Tracker from CGA by NIQ’s Drinks Recovery Tracker has revealed.

Cost of living catches up with late-night spending

11-Apr-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The cost-of-living crisis means more than three quarters of Brits are going on fewer late nights out, according to recent research by Rekom UK.

More than 150 pubs lost so far this year

11-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

More than 150 pubs disappeared from English and Welsh communities during the first three months of 2023, new figures from real estate intelligence firm Altus Group have revealed.

Cowboy surveyors on the rise as Gov urged to reconsider rates reforms

05-Apr-2023 By Orla Noonan

Colliers has warned of an increase in “rogue” rating surveyors following the introduction of the 2023 Ratings Revaluation.

Business rates reform will cost sector even more

05-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The promised reform of business rates will not cut costs for the sector but will, conversely, include a 7.1% increase in rateable values, according to property expert Colliers.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Golf Fang launches 6th site, pubs open after revamps

05-Apr-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Big Fang Collective has launched its sixth UK site in Wales after a £1.5m makeover, and Fuller's and Inn Collection Group sites have also opened their doors.

LICENSING HUB – LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Pavement licences could become a level playing field

05-Apr-2023 By Andy Grimsey, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

If you have tables and chairs outside your premises on pavement owned by your local authority then you almost certainly will be in possession of a piece of paper issued by the local authority allowing you to do so.

Concerns raised about Protection Bill

04-Apr-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Staff could sue employers if customers offended them under the proposed Workers Protection Bill, but trade bodies are concerned about its delivery.

Gov to offer energy tips through mass media campaign

04-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Government is set to plough money into a mass media campaign in a bid to help businesses save cash through energy efficiency tips.

‘National scandal’ warning over energy firms’ practices

04-Apr-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Ofgem has been urged to launch an investigation and back the cancellation of exit fees for sector businesses from onerous energy bills.

Pubs could save over £5k with new rates values

03-Apr-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Pubs could save an average of more than £5,000 under the new commercial property values introduced on Saturday 1 April, data from real estate intelligence firm Altus Group has revealed.

THE LOCK IN PODCAST

How important is tipping in pubs?

03-Apr-2023 By Ed Bedington

The latest episode of the podcast saw the team look at service charge and tipping as a new bill goes through parliament.

OPINION

All change for tipping as new legislation draws closer

03-Apr-2023 By Peter Davies, managing director, WMT Troncmaster Services

The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill passed another stage of its Parliamentary journey this week.

New bill aims to 'modernise' business rates system

31-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government has announced a new non-domestic rating bill to support businesses by “modernising” the business rates system.

Welsh visitor levy plans ‘disappointing’

31-Mar-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has warned plans for Welsh tourists to pay an extra fee overnight would “hit hospitality hard”.

Sector faces extra £7.3bn energy bill as support ‘significantly reduced’

31-Mar-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Sector businesses are facing a hike of £7.3bn in energy bill costs as the Energy Bill Discount Scheme is introduced tomorrow (Saturday 1 April), according to UKHospitality (UKH).

NLW rise, EBRS change and tourism tax to be implemented tomorrow

31-Mar-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Amid the cost-of-living crisis, the sector is continuing to face ongoing challenges as Government help is scaled back from tomorrow (Saturday 1 April).

Manchester tourism tax 'disappointing' for pubs

30-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Now is “not the time” to introduce tourism taxes and place “additional deterrents” on consumers, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Q&A: Who should hold a new premises licence?

30-Mar-2023 By James Anderson, partner, Poppleston Allen

Poppleston Allen considers who is best to hold a new premises licence.

Pubs & bars ‘averagely’ accessible

29-Mar-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Most respondents to the UK’s largest disability access survey felt pubs and bars were ‘averagely’ accessible for people with disabilities.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Red Oak Taverns snaps up site, pubs hit market

29-Mar-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pubs across the country have hit the market as Red Oak Taverns makes its fourth acquisition of the year.

SLTA calls for 'urgent reset' from new SNP leader

28-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has “congratulated” Humza Yousaf on his appointment as the new leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP).

Advice to avoid price increases 'ludicrous'

27-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Trade bodies across the sector have hit out at the Bank of England (BoE) Governor's “ludicrous” and “impossible” suggestion that firms should “stomach” cost increases.

Trade body welcomes nitrous oxide ban

27-Mar-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has welcomed the Government’s ban of nitrous oxide gas, after the drug had put “immense pressure” on the late-night sector.

Drop in drinks sales and rising costs indicate ‘challenging spring’

27-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in managed venues have fallen year-on-year for the second week in a row, the latest CGA by NIQ’s Drinks Recovery Tracker has revealed.

Rising costs leave firms with 'stark choices'

24-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Tackling the main drivers of inflation and offering hospitality firms “enhanced support” would “reduce the need” for interest rate increases, UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has stated.

7 days until ‘energy tipping point’ for pubs

24-Mar-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The closure of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) for firms has the potential to mean companies are forced to close, downsize or restructure, a business organisation has warned.

OPINION

Governor's inflation calls a slap in the face

24-Mar-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Bank of England Governor has called on businesses, including pubs, to not raise prices to avoid fuelling inflation.

Licensing hub - legal with Poppleston Allen

Crime scene prevention

23-Mar-2023 By Andy Grimsey, senior consultant solicitor, Poppleston Allen

It is a sad fact of life that a serious incident can happen even in the best-run venues and while the chances may be small in your pub, the consequences can be severe.

OPINION

MRO made more accessible

23-Mar-2023 By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

It has been a busy few weeks for the pubs code adjudicator (PCA).

Average energy bill to soar by more than £18k

23-Mar-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The average energy bill for a pub is set to increase by £18,400 when the Government’s energy relief for businesses ends on 31 March.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Celeb chefs enter pub trade, new sites from JDW & Bar + Block

22-Mar-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

JD Wetherspoon and James Martin have launched sites, while venues are coming soon from Bar + Block and Tommy Banks.

Rising inflation shows 'clear correlation' with soaring prices in sector

22-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Inflation rates “unexpectedly” rose by 10.4% in the 12 months to February 2023, the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures from the Office For National Statistics (ONS) have revealed.

Petition launched to save Warwickshire pub after fire

22-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

An online petition has been launched to restore a fire damaged Brunning and Price pub in Warwickshire.

Sales boost for sector but costs continue to cripple

21-Mar-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pubs, bars and restaurants saw sales grow in February but did so while battling soaring costs.

RMT offer acceptance 'encouraging news' for sector

21-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The end of the RMT union's trade dispute with Network Rail is “encouraging news” for the hospitality sector, UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls stated.

The LTC unveils new campaign as charity helps over 150k workers

20-Mar-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) has launched a new campaign in a bid to drive greater awareness of the services it offers and encourage more industry professionals to access support when required.

Economy boss praises Manchester on return to pre-Covid levels

20-Mar-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Data that shows footfall in Manchester has returned to pre-pandemic levels has been praised by Night-Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord.

Drinks sales fall behind 2022 levels for the first time

20-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Average drinks sales in managed venues in the week to Saturday 11 March were 3% behind compared with the same period last year, the latest CGA by NIQ’s latest Drinks Recovery Tracker has revealed.

PCA issues statutory guidance to 'remove MRO barriers'

17-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has issued statutory guidance for pub companies regarding market-rent-only (MRO) options and upfront front costs to “remove barriers for tenants”.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Mojo & Concept Taverns to launch sites

17-Mar-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

There are new sites coming soon from Mojo and Concept Taverns, and a village pub and city cocktail bar have been brought to market.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Staying secure against rogue security operatives

17-Mar-2023 By Joe Harvey, associate solicitor, ​Poppleston Allen

A man goes to a club and is stopped by the bouncer. “No tie, no entry” he says. The man walks back to his car and desperately searches for the required neckwear.