Survey: Help shape industry calls for energy support
A trade association is calling on hospitality operators support in assessing the levels of concern across the sector on rising energy prices.
Financial
More than 2 pub and bar firms collapsed daily in 2025
The number of pub and bar companies falling into insolvency increased 2.6% to 789 in 2025, equating to 2.2 a day, new analysis has found.
JDW reveals plans to open up to 35 pubs
Pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is looking to open around 15 managed pubs and 15 to 20 franchised pubs in the current financial year, it revealed in a recent trading update.
OPINION
OPINION: Do we need a sense of perspective?
The vitriolic response to the Government heralded launch of an energy saving initiative might well have taken the powers that be by surprise, but perhaps the industry does needs to regain a sense of perspective.
Warning about beer price hike due to Iran war
Operators have been advised to expect increased prices on products such as beer, food and furniture due to rising oil and gas prices as a result of the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
PROPERTY: East London Brewing Co. reopens historic pub
This week’s property round-up features investments from East London Brewing Co., Heartwood Collection and Admiral Taverns.
‘Jaw-dropping’ response to ‘clueless’ Gov advice on energy saving
The Government’s launch of an energy saving tool for pubs has been greeted with outrage from operators already struggling with spiking energy costs.
UTILITY UPDATE WITH NATIONWIDE ENERGY
Energy costs rising dramatically due to Gulf conflict
Energy markets are in turmoil due to the ongoing war between the US and Israel against Iran.
Dwell time up but spending remains measured at pubs and bars
Hospitality customers spent an average of almost 2.5 hours per visit in venues during February but are being thrifty with their money, new research suggests.
Tilray Brands acquires BrewDog Australia
Tilray Brands has completed the acquisition of BrewDog’s Australian business, BrewDog Brewing Australia Pty Ltd.
Pubs outperforming market amid growing economic uncertainty
Pubs outperformed the market last month as health trends hit takeaway outlets and falling consumer confidence continued to steer trade away from restaurants, new data has revealed.
UTILITY UPDATE WITH NATIONWIDE ENERGY
Trump & TNUoS drive up energy costs
The commodity costs of energy are rising sharply due to the US-Israeli military action against Iran.
Guinness sales soar as revenue falls at Diageo
Diageo has reported a 2.9% uptick in UK sales, driven by double-digit growth in Guinness and strong performance from spirits, including ready-to-drink (RTD) products.
Admiral boss ‘pleased with strong progress against business’ growth strategy’
Community pub group Admiral Taverns “remains focused on growing its estate”, CEO Chris Jowsey outlined as the business reported its latest financial results.
Hospitality customers draw purse strings in January
Customers pulled the purse strings on spending in the hospitality sector after Christmas, according to new research.
Price of pubs drops
The average price of pubs up for sale has dropped since 2024, according to new data from one property agent.
UTILITY UPDATE WITH NATIONWIDE ENERGY
Europe facing late winter gas crisis
With two months of winter remaining, the UK, France and Germany face rapidly depleting gas stocks.
Hospitality sector liquidations remain higher than pre-Covid levels
Liquidations in hospitality between 2023 and 2025 remain higher than before the Covid pandemic, research has found.
Rising food prices shows ‘stark reality’ of supply chain issues
Food and drink prices in the hospitality sector rose by 1.1% in December, new data has revealed.
Marston’s ‘accelerated roll-out programme driving further trading momentum’
Marston’s revealed how its pub format roll-out has accelerated alongside its plans to complete more in a recent trading update.
Bar openings rise as food‑led venues decline in late 2025
The number of bars opening grew by 1.0% in the last quarter of 2025 while the casual dining and restaurant sector suffered 19 closures per week.
Fuller’s reports sales rise with ‘outstanding’ festive trading period
Fuller’s saw like-for-like sales for the year-to-date up 5.3%, the group revealed in a recent trading update.
UTILITY UPDATE WITH NATIONWIDE ENERGY
Weathering the storm on energy supplies
Recent severe weather across Europe has triggered a spike in gas demand to levels not seen since the 2018 ‘Beast from the East’.
Grants worth thousands available for pubs to add new services
Not-for-profit organisation Pub is The Hub has highlighted how pubs can apply for grants of up to £6,000 to create additional services and activities.
Red Oak boosts funding platform as NatWest joins lender group
Red Oak Taverns has expanded its lender group as NatWest Bank joins its existing funder OakNorth, in a move the pub company says will support its long-term acquisition strategy.
Punch Pubs reports EBITDA uplift
Punch Pubs has reported an increase in EBITDA for the 52 weeks to 10 August 2025, to £95.9m, compared to £88.6m the prior year.
Operators must target key dates to capture higher festive spend
Pubs must target the right days to gain higher-spending customers to make the most of the festive period in December 2026.
Inflationary pressure erodes margins despite rising dwell time
Real-terms growth remains under pressure despite improved dwell time in the on-trade during November, new research has revealed.
Foodservice inflation drops for first time in six months
Food and drink inflation in hospitality fell marginally in October after six consecutive months of price hikes, though the market remains fragile, new data has revealed.
World Cup 2026 is ‘perfectly timed’ to give UK nightclubs a summer boost
Nightclubs could become the perfect hub for football fans during the World Cup in 2026, which takes place in North America, according to the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA).
OPINION
Fast cash loans: A costly trap for businesses
With a challenging January and February ahead, many publicans may feel increasing pressure to take out short-term loans.
UTILITY UPDATE WITH NATIONWIDE ENERGY
Cold snap adds pressure on energy supplies
The recent cold, calm weather has increased gas demand for heating and for electricity generation, due to lower wind output.
Three quarters of consumers believe people are being priced out of nights out due to rising costs
Some 76% of consumers think rocketing costs are pushing people out of nights out, new research has found.
Drinks sales saw strong start in October before losing steam
Drinks sales saw a promising start to autumn but gains faded by mid-October, leaving operators cautiously optimistic ahead of the festive period.
Confidence dips to five-year low as cost pressures bite
Business confidence among industry leaders has plummeted to its lowest level since the height of the pandemic, new research has found.
Late-night venue numbers down 4.6% in 12 months, 28% since pandemic
Years of rising costs, safety fears and poor public transport are among factors that have seen the late-night economy contract by 4.6% in 12 months – and 28% since Covid.
One third of firms have no cash reserves left
Some 29% of businesses have reported they have no cash reserves - a record high, according to a national survey.
Operators losing more than £2 per customer in spend
While nominal spend per head increased in October, the impact of inflation means operators are now losing £2.04 per visit in real terms, meaning average real spend was at £10.61, new research has found.
Food and drink prices in hospitality hit record high
Operators continued to face rising costs in key food categories last month, driven by high energy and labour expenses, new data has revealed.
Red Engine posts record weekly sales and expands global footprint
Red Engine, the company behind Flight Club and Electric Shuffle, reported full year turnover of £80.4m for the 52 weeks to 29 December 2024, up from £68.6m in 2023.
FEATURE
FEATURE: Independent pubcos faring best as sector seeks extra footfall
The number of site openings is in net growth with independents leading the way, according to CGA by NIQ research.
C&C Group posts ‘solid’ results amid UK hospitality struggles
C&C Group CEO Roger White has described the business’s latest results as “solid” during a tough time for the UK hospitality market.
Pubs outperform sector with 1.9% sales growth in September
Managed pubs have continued to outperform the wider hospitality sector as consumers opt for drinks out over meals, new data has revealed.
Brunning & Price targets pubs with rooms as profits return and sales rise
Brunning & Price has reported a strong full-year performance for the 52 weeks ended 29 December 2024, with like-for-like sales up 5.1%.
Gov ‘absolutely determined to support local pubs’ following £440k funding for rural sites
The Government wants to support rural pubs, one minister has said, after it was announced the Department for Business and Trade was providing £440,000 worth of funding to not-for-profit organisation Pub is The Hub.
RedCat: ‘We remain committed to reinvestment and growth’
90-strong pub group RedCat remains committed to growth and reinvestment despite rising operational costs and inflation, with an £8m capex programme continuing across its estate.
Whitbread: New integrated offering offsets F&B sales dip
Whitbread has reported a 4% decline in its F&B sales in H1 FY26, in line with expectations as the company removes its lower-returning branded restaurants.
Rising dwell times shows sector’s resilience amid closures
Hospitality saw a slight decline in venue numbers last month, but those still trading benefited from longer visits and increased consumer spend, pointing to a shift toward more considered, experience-led outings.
Valiant ‘pursuing further acquisitions’ amid strong FY results
Valiant Pub Company has reported a strong year of operational and financial performance, supported by strategic investment and continued expansion.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
PROPERTY: Joseph Holt pumps £1.8m into historic pub
This week’s property round-up includes investments from Joseph Holt, Three Cheers, Northern Monk and more.