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.
Financial
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.
Tube strikes ‘soul-destroying’ for London pubs
One London-based operator has described the tube strikes as “soul-destroying” as trade body estimates industrial action could cost the hospitality sector £110m.
Consumer spending in pubs sees slight rise
Spending in pubs, bars and clubs rose by 0.5% in August with the transaction growth down by 1%, a new report has revealed.
Drinks sales edge towards real-terms growth
Drinks sales in managed venues pulled close to real-terms growth in the first half of August, falling just 0.6 percentage points short of the current rate of inflation, new data has revealed.
Hospitality set to suffer as online firms ‘largely escape’ biz rates revamp
The hospitality sector is set to pay an additional £75m across 650 properties in a business rates revamp while online businesses “largely escape”.
Sector loses £4bn in sales to rail strikes as more action looms
Rail and tube strikes have been estimated to have cost the UK hospitality sector £4bn since 2022 as operators prepare for more industrial action later this month.
Tough trading continues for managed hospitality groups
Managed pub, restaurant and bar groups continued a flat summer of trading with like-for-like sales in July dropping 0.1% on the previous year, new research has found.
Drinks sales see modest upswing after fluctuating trading patterns
Managed venues saw a modest upswing in drinks sales at the start of August, following a turbulent July marked by fluctuating trading patterns.
Robinsons reports landmark turnover
North-west brewer and pub operator Robinsons reported record turnover for 2024 alongside a rise in operating profits.
Tax hikes pushing prices in pubs and fuelling inflation
Industry leaders have warned tax hikes have driven up prices for hospitality, further fuelling inflation.
ANALYSIS: To tip or not to tip, that is the question...
The decision by a pub company to add an automatic tip to ordering drinks at the bar in some of its sites has thrown the cat among the pigeons and reignited the service charge debate.
Rising taxes forcing pubs to make ‘impossible decisions’ and cut jobs
More than three-quarters of operators have increased prices and more than half have cut staff numbers as a direct results of April’s tax hikes, new data has revealed.
ANALYSIS: How much have wages risen over the past five years?
Over the past five years, wages have soared by more than 40% alongside policy changes resulting in younger workers now benefitting from a higher hourly rate.
Interest rate cut offers hope but insufficient to spark sector revival
The recent interest rates cut has been welcomed however, concerns it isn’t enough have also been raised.