Price of pubs drops
The average price of pubs up for sale has dropped since 2024, according to new data from one property agent.
Financial
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.
Rising costs force almost half of operators to slash capex
Rapid rises in operational costs have damaged capital expenditure programmes across the sector as almost half of operators cut investment.
Shepherd Neame boss: We’re investing for the long term
Shepherd Neame CEO Jonathan Neame has outlined how long-term investment is key, following the company’s latest trading update.
Food prices rise for fifth consecutive month
Food and drink prices within the hospitality sector jumped 0.4% in the month to August.
Accommodation and carvery remain key focuses for RedCat
The Coaching Inn Group remains “very much the jewel in our crown”, said RedCat Hospitality boss Richard Lewis.
Gov’s £5bn Pride in Place Strategy welcomed but leaders demand tax reform
New powers to help save struggling pubs have been welcomed but a number of trade leaders have warned tax reform is key to real change.
Village pub closes after decline in footfall
A village pub in Surrey has announced its closure after an “enormous” decline in trade made the business no longer financially viable.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
PROPERTY: JDW to open two new city pubs
This week’s property round-up includes investments from JD Wetherspoon (JDW), Heartwood Collection, Admiral, Fuller’s and more.
Sunshine boosts pub sales to highest point since April
Managed pub groups enjoyed their best month since April, with like-for-like sales up 2.8% in August, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker revealed.
Pubs can’t ‘shoulder unfair tax burdens’ as economy stagnates
Trade bodies have called for “immediate action” to address the financial pressure placed on pubs as the economy remains stagnant.
Staff numbers cut to bone while vacancies rise
Hospitality businesses have cut staffing numbers to the bone while vacancies in the sector have risen for the first time in a year, according to audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK.
Hydes Brewery ‘eclipses’ last year’s turnover with new record
Hydes Brewery said it has “eclipsed” its prior financial year’s record turnover of £39.3m, reporting £40.8m for the year to 30 March 2025.
PROPERTY ROUND-UP
Vagabond invests £1.5m in new bar
This week’s property round-up includes investments from Vagabond, Shepherd Neame, Admiral, St Austell Brewery and more.
Robinsons: ‘Our business will cost £2m more to run this year’
Robinsons Brewery has warned that Government policy is piling pressure on pubs and brewers, with joint managing director Oliver Robinson estimating the business will cost £2m more to run in 2025 than in 2024.
Longer dwell times and premium choices battle outlet closures
A strong appetite for premium drinks coupled with customers increasing their dwell time in the on-trade is being dampened by a rise in pubs and bars closing in some regions.
Khan urged to give London pubs ‘rent and rates holiday’ amid tube strikes
Calls are mounting for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to give hospitality businesses a rent and rates ‘holiday’ to cope with the financial strain of tube strikes.