Consumer spending up 3.5% in on-trade
Growth in non-essential spending last month (November) was largely driven by a strong performance in bars, pubs and clubs, research has found.
Financial
Marston’s ‘filled with confidence’ for 2025 as like-for-like sales rise 4.8%
Marston’s has reported a 4.8% uptick in like-for-like sales with Christmas bookings ahead of last year despite “additional pressure” from the autumn Budget.
Drinks sales down 9% year-on-year
Cold and stormy weather alongside “patchy” consumer confidence pushed November drinks sales back in the red after weeks of flat or marginal growth.
Anglian Country Inns: ‘We still have opportunities to grow’
Anglian Country Inns (ACI) will continue to look for growth opportunities within its existing estate as it seeks to mitigate the impact of October Budget.
EXCLUSIVE DATA
After effects of the Budget continue to cause ‘tough trading’ conditions
Trade in pubs and bars has continued to battle “tough trading conditions” as firms digest the after effects of the Budget.
Trade bodies share ‘deep concern’ after Ofgem increases energy price cap
Sector trade bodies have shared “deep concern” the increase to the energy price cap in 2025 will “compound” the already “severe pressures” faced by firms.
Drinks sales edge into growth ahead of Christmas rush
Hopes raised for a strong festive season as drinks sales see “modest growth” after a “tough autumn”.
OPINION
OPINION: Dynamic pricing is a quid-pro-quo situation
Pricing is always a challenging topic, and never more so than at the moment, with pubs forced to look at ways to square away escalating costs from the recent Budget.
Managed groups see below inflation growth for fourth month in a row
Like-for-like growth across managed hospitality groups has remained below inflation for the fourth month in a row.
Sector 'in the doldrums' as insolvencies rise 5%
Hospitality firms are "in the doldrums" as company insolvencies across the sector rise by 5% year-on-year.
Greene King latest to face backlash for 'event' pricing
Greene King is the latest pub operator to come under fire for its use of 'event' pricing at peak trading times, insisting the increase is used to “cover additional costs”.
Number of outlets grows but Budget threatens confidence
The number of licensed premises has increased for a second successive quarter, but the Budget threatens confidence in the sector and puts independent pubs at risk.
£3.4bn cost hike for sector needs rethink
The Government has been urged to rethink the £3.4bn worth of costs to hit the sector in April 2025, following recent figures having shown UK economic growth slowed to 0.1% between July and September.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Pubs warned to 'tread carefully' with dynamic pricing
The use of dynamic pricing in the hospitality sector is “trickier” to navigate than other industries and risks creating “negative sentiment” with consumers, one expert has warned.
Government needs to wake up to Budget damage
As the dust begins to settle from the recent Budget from our shiny new Government, we can now start to assess the real damage Reeves and her colleagues have wrought on the hospitality sector.
October trade 'concerning' for sector
Cost increases and the autumn Budget alongside declining drinks sales and flat in-venue dwell time sparked “concern” across the on-trade last month, new data has revealed.
Warning employment cost hikes will cause closures and job losses
A number of industry leaders have warned of the impact cost increases announced at last month's Budget will have on the sector.
Budget to cost businesses thousands
In light of the recent Budget announcements, The Morning Advertiser spoke to various operators in order to understand how they plan to tackle the effects of rising costs and the impact it may have on trade.
41% of Brits still choosing to frequent pubs
New research from ride-hailing firm Bolt, has revealed that compared to last year, over a quarter of Brits are going ‘out’ less at night, but still choosing to visit pubs.
Foodservice inflation drops to 2.4%
Foodservice inflation in the hospitality sector has continued its downward trend, dropping 0.4 percentage points.
Brits 'cutting back' on pints as consumer spend habits change
According to the latest Barclays Consumer Spend report, consumer spend habits throughout bars, pubs and clubs have plateaued as consumers look to be more frugal with their spending habits.
Hospitality leaders urge end to Tube strikes before Christmas
Hospitality bosses across London have urged a speedy resolution to Tube strikes that can cost businesses up to 70% of their daily sales.
No-shows at record high
The number of consumers not turning up to reservations at hospitality venues has returned to a record high, new research has revealed.
Drinks sales finish October 5% down YOY
October drinks sales in pubs struggled to keep up year-on-year (YOY) as fluctuating weather made for tough comparisons.
BUDGET 2024
Business rates relief slashed but system will be overhauled in 2026
Pubs will suffer in the short term after their pleas for the 75% business rates relief to remain were replaced with a 40% reduction in the Budget – but an overhaul of the system will take place in 2026/27.
NLW to soar by 6.7%
The national living wage (NLW) is set to rise by 6.7% to £12.21 an hour from April next year.
Camerons secures refinancing to support growth
Brewer and pub company Camerons Brewery has secured funding to help with its growth strategy.
C&C reports marginal fall in revenue but 29% lift in operating profit
Drinks distributor and manufacturer C&C Group has announced its net revenue has declined by 3% but underlying operating profit has risen by 29% in the six months (H1 FY25) to 31 August 2024.
Reported wage hike ‘will prove too challenging for some’
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce a 6% rise in the national minimum wage at the Budget tomorrow (Wednesday 30 October), according to reports.
September ‘disappointing for UK on-trade’
Wet weather, falling draught beer volumes and a drop in occupancy levels led to a ‘disappointing’ September, research has found.
Growth for managed groups matches inflation
Managed hospitality groups recorded year-on-year sales growth of 1.7% in September, the latest edition of the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker has revealed.
UTILITY UPDATE WITH NATIONWIDE ENERGY
'Utility commodity and contract rates remain elevated'
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East remains the most significant factor driving commodity costs.
On-trade YOY drinks sales fall for third week in a row
Year-on-year drinks sales have fallen for the third week in a row, according to CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker.
EXCLUSIVE
'Everyone focused on here & now but 2026 could be even worse'
Hospitality firms need to plan for longer-term pain as increases to business rates bills come April 2026 have the potential to be eye-watering.
Closure rates of independent breweries slows again
Figures from SIBA's UK Brewery Tracker have shown the net closure rate of breweries in the UK has slowed during the third quarter of 2024 while openings have increased in some areas.
EXCLUSIVE COMMENT
Asahi UK's £14m loss a 'bellwether for the industry'
Asahi UK’s recent £14m pre-tax loss is a “stark reminder” of the challenges faced by hospitality firms, business finance specialists Aurora Capital has said.
UKH: Sept inflation rise means £48m biz rates increase for pubs
September’s inflation figures indicate a potential £48m increase for business rates next year for hospitality firms, one trade body has predicted.
Drinks sales start Q4 in year-on-year decline
On-premise drinks sales have been recorded at significantly lower than this time last year according to the latest CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker.
Pub charges people for extreme food waste
The Star Inn at Vogue in Cornwall has enforced stricter rules on customers leaving food during its Sunday carvery and has now begun charging people for leaving food on plates, according to reports.
Carlsberg acquisitions lead M&A activity for Q2 2024
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals have increased by almost a third in the food & beverage sector for the second quarter of 2024 versus the same period last year – with the Carlsberg-Britvic and Carlsberg-Marston’s deals cited as key.
Average salaries across sector revealed
The Morning Advertiser looks at a breakdown of average salary status throughout the hospitality industry, with recent recorded wages per annum throughout 2023, and 2024 provided by Access hospitality, Indeed UK and Reed recruitment agency.
What are the top interior design trends for pubs?
The Morning Advertiser caught up with hospitality design specialist Abi Perry-Jones on what's in vogue when it comes to pub design.
Going down the pan!
Top toilets are vital for any pub operation, but are we always getting it right. The Lock In team go beyond the u-bend to find out how you can up your loo offer!
Challenges remain but positive changes may be in the offing on utilities
What to expect from utilities in 2024? We asked industry expert Gerry O'Hara of Nationwide Energy to give his perspective on what the coming year was likely to bring.
Accommodation offer can 'boost' pub business
It turns out there IS room at the inn, with pubs across the country investing in rooms so that guests can chill out and stay the night after enjoying the food and drink on offer.
‘Buy once and buy right’ when investing in rooms
The operator of the Lancashire-based gastropub Freemasons at Wiswell has advised pubs to “buy once and buy right” if they’re looking to invest in accommodation at their site.
Feature – Pub suppliers
FEATURE: Why putting trust in suppliers will be reciprocated
Success or failure in the pub industry is dependent on many factors, not least having reliable, trustworthy suppliers who can service all of your business needs.
Promotional content
Reusable steel kegs and casks: the efficient, sustainable choice
Dan Vorlage, executive director of the Steel Keg Association, talks about the challenges facing the on-trade and how reusable steel kegs and casks can play a meaningful role to speed the recovery.
Licensee 'infuriated' with business rates agent
A Lancashire-based operator has been left feeling “vulnerable” by a company claiming to help firms reduce their business rates.
National Pubwatch launches educational film series
National Pubwatch (NPW) has released a range of films explaining the roles of Pubwatches and their powers.