Companies

New opening: Cahoots: Postal Office opened in October (image: Johnny Stephens)

Cahoots: Postal Office 'first of many'

By Nikkie Thatcher

The latest opening from multisite operator Inception Group is the 'first of many', co-founder Charlie Gilkes told The Morning Advertiser.

Group name change: the group's brands will retain their names. Pictured is Revolucion de cuba in Manchester

Revolution Bars Group changes name

By Gary Lloyd

Revolution Bars Group, which operates more than 60 sites mainly under the Revolucion de Cuba, Revolution and Peach Pub brands, is changing its name to The Revel Collective.

New opportunity: Thornbridge & Co to open first London pub

Thornbridge & Co to open first London pub

By Phil Mellows

Thornbridge & Co, the joint venture between Derbyshire brewer Thornbridge and wholesaler and bar operator Pivovar, is to open its first pub in London.

Success: Tamworth Tap awarded Freeman of the Borough by council (Pictured: George and Louise Greenaway being presented with the honour / Credit: Tamworth Borough Council)

Tamworth Tap awarded Freeman of the Borough

By Rebecca Weller

The owners of Britain’s Best Beer Pub have been awarded Freeman of the Borough in recognition of their innovative entrepreneurship and championing of their local area.

Marston's results: food sales have been particularly encouraging

Marston’s reports 5.8% boost in retail sales

By Gary Lloyd

Marston’s has stated the sale of its 40% share in Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has been a contributory factor in strong results for the 52 weeks ended 28 September 2024.

Key acquisition: Breal and Calveton procure TGI Fridays (Credit: Getty/Adam Gault)

Breal Capital and Calveton acquire TGI Fridays

By Shwetali Sapte, MCA

TGI Fridays UK has been acquired by Breal Capital and Calveton UK following the completion of a successful sale process through acquisition vehicle Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group Limited.

Capital choice: the Punch Bowl in Mayfair offers a great food and drinks menu

MY PUB

MY PUB: The Punch Bowl, Mayfair, London

By Gary Lloyd

Whether you want to enjoy drinks in the cosy bar or enjoy some great food when you’re in London’s Mayfair, the Punch Bowl will suit everyone perfectly.

Increased sales: Armado Lounge in Plymouth

Loungers lfl sales grow by 4.7%

By Gary Lloyd

All-day bar-café-restaurant brand Loungers has announced a 4.7% leap in like-for-like (lfl) sales in its trading update for the 24 weeks ended 6 October 2024.

Pubco acquired: Epiris, the new owner of Amber Taverns, has not revealed any financial terms

Amber Taverns acquired by Epiris

By Gary Lloyd

Amber Taverns, which operates 178 freehold wet-led pubs, has been acquired by Epiris – the owner of The Big Table that counts Bella Italia and Las Iguanas among its brands.

Wet weather: Drinks sales down again (Credit: Getty/dorian2013)

Wet weather dampens drinks sales

By Rebecca Weller

Widespread wet weather has pushed drinks sales in pubs back into negative year-on-year numbers, CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker has revealed.

Private ownership is key to success: Duncan Stirling and Charlie Gilkes

Inception Group predicts record-breaking 2024

By Gary Lloyd

Inception Group, which operates brands including Mr Fogg’s, Cahoots and Bunga Bunga, expects to deliver record-breaking revenues of £29m for 2024 if forecasts bear out.

Increased sales: JDW reports 5.7% total growth for FY24

JDW sales up 5.7% to £2bn in FY24

By Rebecca Weller

Pub behemoth JD Wetherspoon (JDW) saw total sales soar to £2bn in the FY24, an increase of 5.7% compared with the previous 12 months.

MA Leaders Club: Today's event will see delegates take to the streets of Oxford (Credit: Getty/Nikada)

MA LEADERS CLUB

MA Leaders Oxford happening today

By Rebecca Weller

The MA Leaders club will be taking to the streets of Oxford today (Wednesday 2 October).

Greene King celebrates a year of pins during cask ale week

THE CASK PROJECT

GK celebrates a year of pins for cask pubs

By Gary Lloyd

As the on-trade continues to celebrate Cask Ale Week, Greene King is championing a successful year since the introduction of the 4.5-gallon cask ‘pin’ to its customers.

Sales boost: M&B expects certain pressures to ease in future

M&B posts 5.2% lfl sales boost for 51-week period

By Gary Lloyd

Pubs, bars and restaurants operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has reported like-for-like sales growth of 5.2% in its current financial year to date with all brands in growth.

Farewell: BrewDog Bars CEO James Brown is expected to reveal what he will do during the next few days

BrewDog Bars CEO James Brown steps down

By Gary Lloyd

BrewDog Bars CEO James Brown has announced he is stepping down from his role at the Scottish brewer and pub operator and will be unveiled as CEO of casual dining chain Prezzo on Thursday (26 September).

Packages acquired: the deal includes (l-r, top row) Anchor Bexley, Lochside and Royal Oak, (l-r bottom row) Shield & Dagger, Vesper Gate and Vine

Punch Pubs adds 14 pubs to estate

By Gary Lloyd

Punch Pubs & Co has added a total of 14 pubs to its estate after its acquisition of the Milton 1 & 2 portfolio from real estate investment company Aprirose.

Outgoing Punch CEO Clive Chesser reflects on pub career

Exit Interview

'No regrets' says outgoing Punch CEO

By Ed Bedington

As Clive Chesser, outgoing CEO of Punch Pubs & Co prepares to depart the world of pubs for gyms, MA editor Ed Bedington caught up with him for one final chat.

Salubrious town: the Venture Inn in Reigate used to be known as the Desert Rat

MY PUB

MY PUB: The Venture Inn, Reigate, Surrey

By Gary Lloyd

In the affluent town of Reigate – just south of the M25 – you will find the Venture Inn, which cites low & no beers as one of its key drivers.

Well-invested site: the Langton Arms in Leicestershire has received capex from operator RedCat

RedCat to invest £8m into its estate

By Gary Lloyd

RedCat Pub Company, founded and chaired by Rooney Anand, is rolling out an £8m capital investment programme across its estate during the upcoming six to 12 months.

What's in the news 20th September?

Review of the Week

'Hospitality needs to be taken seriously'

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Great British Pub Award winner Joe Buckley of the Tollemache Arms to get his take on the week's events.

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