Operators

Cask and keg: Adam Mayers of Hydes Brewery

TV show-themed beers from Hydes

By Gary Lloyd

Hydes Brewery will be producing seasonal beers throughout 2024 based on TV shows from the 1980s and 1990s.

Trading update: Sarah Willingham-led Nightcap acquired The Piano Works in February 2024

Nightcap positive despite tough trading in 2024

By Gary Lloyd

Nightcap – the operator of about 50 bars under brands including The Cocktail Club, Barrio Familia, the Adventure Bar Group and The Piano Works – expects trading to continue to be tough in 2024 but is positive for the future.

What's in the news 15 March

Review of the Week

‘Confidence is starting to rise’

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with the BII's Steve Alton to get his take on the week's news, ahead of his epic trip to Kenya for Pedalling 4 Pubs.

Integrity & progression: Abi Dunn advised on management retention

MA LEADERS

What matters to your managers?

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Abi Dunn, the founder of hospitality recruitment agency Sixty Eight People, advised on how to retain managers at the MA Leaders conference in Liverpool last week.

Corner plot: North Laine Brewhouse is stand-out pub in Brighton

Laine’s flagship Brighton pub building on market

By Gary Lloyd

The freehold site of Laine Pub Company’s flagship pub has been placed on the market – but the pubco insists the sale won’t affect the pub and it will be business as usual.

Raise a glass: Richard and Donna English celebrate two decades behind the bar

Couple celebrates 20 years behind bar

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Licensees of the Cavendish Arms, Cartmel, Cumbria, have received an award to mark their 20th anniversary at the pub, which is the oldest in the village.

 City landscape: (l-r) Elaine Clarke of Baa Bar, John Ennis of GSG Hospitality and Iain Hoskins of Ma Pubs set the scene in Liverpool with The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington

MA LEADERS

What is operating in Liverpool like?

By Nikkie Thatcher

A buoyant Saturday trade, the impact of businesses continuing to work from home and the need for stronger infrastructure were three of the topics discussed when it comes to operating in the seaport city.

Who is behind lesbian bar La Camionera London

Meet the founder of London’s new lesbian bar

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The founder of a new east London lesbian bar, which has hit its fundraising target of £50,000 to launch a permeant venue, has opened up about future plans.

Sector celebration: many female operators have had their say on #InspiringInclusion for International Women's Day

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2024

Female operators share how the sector can #InspireInclusion

By Rebecca Weller

The Morning Advertiser has spoken to a number of female operators leading the on-trade in 2024 to hear how the industry can #InspireInclusion this International Women's Day (IWD).

Sector overview: The duo outlined challenges and future hopes

Hickory’s CEO ‘excited’ for future

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Hickory’s founder Neil McDonnell and pub owner James Kowszun outlined the opportunities in the sector at the MA Leaders Conference in Liverpool yesterday (7 March).

Latest acquisition: The Piano Works concept is now in the Sarah Willingham-led Nightcap portfolio

Nightcap acquires The Piano Works

By Gary Lloyd

Nightcap – the operator of 46 bars under brands including The Cocktail Club, Barrio Familia and the Adventure Bar Group – has acquired live entertainment concept The Piano Works.

Administration sale: Rekom UK sold for £19.5m (Pictured: Rekom UK chairman Peter Marks)

Rekom UK sold for £19.5m

By MCA

The assets of late-night operator Rekom UK were sold to a connected party for £19.5m in a pre-pack administration process.

Hart and soul of Ashill: the White Hart pub

MY PUB

My Pub: the White Hart, Ashill, Norfolk

By Gary Lloyd

Married couple Jonathan and Naomi Pearson took on the White Hart in Ashill during Covid and were forced to quickly close during the lockdowns of the pandemic.

Single focus: Tim Bird wants a VAT reduction on food and soft drinks

OPINION

Are we asking the Government for too much?

By Tim Bird, owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns

The new year is now well under way in the hospitality business and with it I always feel an air of optimism.

Business anniversary: Urban Pubs & Bars is celebrating 10 years of trading this year

A look at Urban Pubs & Bars’ history

By Nikkie Thatcher

We’ve taken a look back at how Urban Pubs & Bars was formed and how the group is dealing with the current challenges facing the sector.

What's in the news 9 February

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

‘VAT cut would allow us to pay staff more’

By Gary Lloyd

The Morning Advertiser’s associate features editor Gary Lloyd caught up with Banwell House Pub Company managing director Toby Brett to get his take on the week's news, what he wants from the Spring Budget and gives a prediction for England v Wales...

Squeezed margins: importance of pubs getting lost in sea of rising costs (Clive Price pictured far right with one of the pubco's teams)

'Crucial role of pubs getting lost'

By Rebecca Weller

The “crucial role” pubs play in communities is getting lost in a sea of squeezed margins and undervaluation, Barons Pub Company managing director Clive Price told The Morning Advertiser.