‘Proud’ Saunders appointed MD at Sky Business
Sky has appointed Damian Saunders as its managing director of Sky Business as the company continues to scale its business-to-business operations and strengthen its position in the UK market.
Technology
FEATURE
FEATURE: How pubcos are finding great-value solutions to tech issues
Imagine video recording your depleting back-bar shelves on your phone and, within minutes, receiving a live stock-count showing you exactly what needs ordering.
Greene King trials AI and smart tech across ‘innovation pubs’
Greene King is testing a wide range of artificial intelligence and smart technologies across two managed sites as part of a new programme designed to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs and enhance customer experience.
Mitchells & Butlers: ‘AI helps us move faster’
M&B has integrated artificial intelligence into its operations to improve efficiency in menu development, marketing and customer service, according to director of digital product and transformation Richard Whitehouse.
Industry leaders see tech as key to cutting costs
Almost three quarters of hospitality executives feel tech is key to tackling rising costs, fresh data has revealed.
Sector welcomes plans to lift contactless spend cap
Pubs could be able to accept contactless payments of more than £100 under plans by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Heartwood Inns launches debut loyalty app
Heartwood Collection has launched its first loyalty app for its Heartwood Inns business.
How new agentic AI models could transform the sector
New agentic AI models have the potential to improve efficiencies at pubs while enhancing customer experiences, one expert has said.
Operators share business pain points and solutions
New research has revealed the major pain points for operators as pubs continue to face economic challenges and how to address them.
Pubs warned to be vigilant to avoid hacking by cybercriminals
Publicans are being warned to use more unique passwords and renew them more regularly to avoid hacking by cybercriminals.
Gov looking into benefits of solar carports for businesses
The Government has asked businesses to submit evidence of the benefits of solar car parks in the UK.
OPINION
OPINION: Can hospitality still exist in an AI world?
Service is the black-and-white part of providing food and drink in the pub trade.
BIG INTERVIEW
BIG INTERVIEW: Help your team and you will be successful
Empowering your staff and having the ability to listen are key aspects to the managerial style employed by Access Hospitality’s Anthony Tattersall.
Tech collaboration will result in greater customer insights
WiFi insights platform Wireless Social has teamed up with Sky Business in a bid to boost online customer engagement and potentially find what makes customers tick.
FEATURE
FEATURE: More pubs will invest in AI in 2025
Artificial Intelligence – or AI – is increasingly entering our daily lives, often working away in the background without us even realising.
Digital IDs: A guide for pubs and bars
The UK Government is updating the law to allow digital identity services to be used as proof of age when buying alcohol.
Punch debuts new initiative to bring children's artwork to life
Punch Pubs & Co has introduced a new "unique initiative" using Augmented Reality (AR) to bring children's artwork to life.
PubAid new platform shows 'invaluable ways' pubs support communities
PubAid has launched a new platform dedicated to celebrating the essential role pubs play as lifelines in their communities to mark World Mental Health Day (Thursday 10 October).
FEATURE - Tech and reservations
FEATURE: Increase your footfall with the best bookings systems
Technology is changing the way we work, communicate, socialise and even the way we eat and drink.
Stonegate MiXR app hits 1m downloads
Stonegate’s MiXR app has hit 1m downloads and seen £1.8m in points redeemed since it was launched just nine months ago.
4.9% uplift in July consumer spending
Pubs, bars and clubs saw a rise of 4.9% last month (July) – the sector’s highest growth since January.
Greene King unveils first super-fast charging hub for electric vehicles
Pub operator and brewer Greene King has introduced its first super-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging facility.
The LTC reveals new website and podcast series
The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) has invested in its digital communication resources and launched a brand-new website as well as a new podcast series.
Xmas bookings already up 54%
Christmas bookings for the 2024 festive period are already up by more than half (54%) compared to last year, new insight has found.
Microsoft crash: worldwide tech issues hit pubs and bars
A major global tech failure left the hospitality industry experiencing uncertainty on Friday 19 July, as card machines, discount codes and apps crashed throughout the sector. Businesses are slowly recovering, however experts warn it may take weeks for...
May sees 2.9% spending rise
Consumer spending in pubs, bars and clubs grew by 2.9% in May, new data has revealed.
The Lock In Podcast
Are you being served?
Customer service is key to making your business a success, in the season finale, the Lock In takes a closer look at a key aspect that can make or break a pub.
Pubs urged to embrace AI to 'futureproof' sector
Pubs need to dive headfirst into embracing technology, in particular AI, to “futureproof” themselves and be prepared to fulfil the needs of the next generation of customers.
Top 5 reasons for no-shows
One in five hospitality guests fail to turn up for a reservation because they booked multiple venues to ensure they would get in somewhere.
Long waits and cold food pubgoers biggest gripes
Some 91% of hospitality consumers cited a long wait for food or drink and hot food being served cold were their biggest bugbears when eating and drinking out, research has revealed.
Spending up more than 4%
The hospitality and leisure sector saw a rise in consumer spending of 4.1% in April, according to new figures.
Nation's favourite TV pub revealed
The nation’s favourite pub has been revealed thanks to new research from insurance provider Simply Business.
March consumer spending up 3.2%
FA Cup fixtures, the Six Nations tournament and St Patrick’s Day helped drive a 3.2% rise in consumer spending last month (March) up from 1.1% in February, according to reports.
OPINION
OPINION: Mum’s the word
During the past 10 years, we have been trying to get Mother’s Day right and I am still not sure we have.
FEATURE - Technology
FEATURE: Finding the right tech to fit your pub
Pub operators everywhere are facing challenging times but choosing the right technology solutions can help your business to survive – and even thrive.
TNT Sports seals four-year deal to screen FA Cup matches
Sports fans will be able to watch the Emirates FA Cup from the first round to the final at the pub after TNT Sports secured a four-year screening deal that will start in the 2025-26 season.
Operators urged to be well-prepared for tipping legislation
Businesses need to be ahead of the game with the new tipping legislation, which is set to come into force this summer.
Access Hospitality acquires Wireless Social
Access Hospitality, a division of The Access Group, has acquired Wireless Social, the UK’s leading provider of guest wi-fi, analytics and marketing solutions.
Festive parties push spending up by almost 8%
Consumer spending at pubs, bars and clubs was up by 7.9% in December, thanks to Christmas parties and gatherings, research has found.
Pub accommodation predicted to grow in 2024
Pubs with rooms website Stay In A Pub has predicted pub accommodation to grow in 2024 after it reported a 50% increase in voucher sales over the Christmas period.
Tech investment high on agenda of hospitality leaders for 2024
Three in five hospitality leaders plan to invest in new technology solutions in 2024 – with employees being their main area of focus.
Draw more customers with knockout boxing event
Pubs will potentially have the chance to gain extra footfall on the night before Christmas Eve when a huge night of boxing can be screened.
Popular Xmas party dates ‘will help push sales up to £12bn’
Hospitality is set to benefit from a £12bn boost during the festive period when 40m-plus people eat and drink out as the most popular dates for Christmas parties have been revealed.
Home-hunters can now pick property based on proximity to pub
Useyourlocal, the UK’s largest online audience of people looking to go to the pub, has joined forces with property website Zoopla to help home-hunters pick a new property based on the proximity to their local pub.
Spending up but consumers 'cutting back' ahead of Xmas
Spending in pubs and bars grew 5.9% in the year to October, data from Barclaycard has revealed.
Career change considered by 42% of industry staff
More than two in five workers in the hospitality sector are considering a career outside the industry despite job satisfaction levels increasing ‘significantly’ during the past 12 months.
Could appealing to film and TV fans boost sales?
Using TV and films to draw customers in at pubs has respectively increased sales and boosted footfall at 87% and 82% of pubs, according to new research.
1 in 12 consumers prepared to pay more at busier times
Some 8% of consumers would be willing to pay more to eat and drink out during peak times, new research has revealed.
Promotional content
Brewfitt's top 5 energy-saving products for dispense
In today's environmentally conscious world, reducing energy consumption is not only a noble endeavour but also a smart one, especially for businesses in the hospitality industry.
FEATURE - Technology
FEATURE: How tech can free up time for your staff
Times are tough right now. Pub and bar operators are being hit from all sides with consumers tightening their belts, struggles over recruitment and costs soaring across the board.