Operators

Charity champs: Chris Jowsey (right) with Jake Mills of Chase The Stigma

Admiral Taverns posts improved turnover and EBITDA

By Gary Lloyd

Despite economic headwinds creating a “challenging backdrop” for its licensees, Admiral Taverns has posted improved turnover and EBITDA figures in its 2023 financial year (FY23) results.

Positive figures: JDW chair Tim Martin says the company is increasing spend at its pubs

Like-for-like sales up 9.5% at JDW

By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has reported like-for-like (lfl) sales in the first 14 weeks of its financial year (FY24) were 9.5% higher than the same period last year.

Site success: the Journeyman in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire is reporting weekly sales figures of more than £60,000 (image: Oakman Group)

Oakman updates on challenges and improvements

By Nikkie Thatcher

CEO of multiple operator Oakman Group Peter Borg-Neal has updated the company’s response to industry challenges and trading improvements in a recent shareholder letter.

Portfolio growth: North is set to reopen Alley Cats next month

EXCLUSIVE

North reopening ‘cherished’ bar

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator North has revealed it is reopening a ‘cherished’ site in Chapel Allerton next week following its closure last month (October).

Oisin Rogers gears up for Devonshire opening

'The best pubs are chaotic!'

By Ed Bedington

Pub legend Oisín Rogers is all set to open his new pub project with Charlie Carroll, the Devonshire at Piccadilly, London

Diverse portfolio: Red Oak expands pub estate with more than 20 acquisitions in 2023

Red Oak Taverns acquisition history

By Rebecca Weller

Multi-site operator Red Oak Taverns has procured some 25 pubs across the country so far this year, bringing its total number of venues to more than 200.

Revenue up: total revenue at Punch Pubs & Co has risen to £313.5m

Transferred Punch pubs key to revenue boost

By Gary Lloyd

Punch Pubs & Co’s move to convert leased and tenanted pubs to its managed division has been cited as the “predominant driving force” for a 10.2% lift in revenue in its trading update for the 52 weeks ended 13 August 2023.

Biggest single investment: Star reopens the Unicorn in Cardiff after £1.4m refurb

Star injects more than £1.5m into Welsh pubs

By Rebecca Weller

Star Pubs & Bars has revealed a new look for its flagship site in Cardiff, Wales, following a £1.4m renovation project, its biggest single investment this year, and plans to plough a further £730k into Welsh venues.

(image: Getty/Adam Gault)

Red Oak Taverns to acquire 17 St Austell pubs

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Red Oak Taverns is set to complete the purchase of 17 sites from St Austell Brewery’s leased and tenanted division, helping to further extend the former’s presence in the south west.

Standing out: Little Door & Co managing director and co-founder Kamran Dehdashti (left) with director and co-founder Jamie Hazeel

OPINION

Company culture: how we can stand out from the pack

By Kamran Dehdashti and Jamie Hazeel, founders, Little Door & Co

In the current economic climate, many hospitality businesses are finding the conditions tougher than ever – margins are being squeezed across the board, and revenue is less reliable and consistent than before.

Positive update: Armado Lounge in Plymouth

Loungers targets record number of openings

By Gary Lloyd

Loungers CEO Nick Collins has cited the “continued evolution” of the business as key to its sales growth in a trading update for the 24 weeks ended 1 October 2023.

Company investment: Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies (far right) with Manu Bhatt (third from right) and Richard Brown (far left) of Little & Large Pub Company and team members from the Running Horses

Brakspear pumps £2m into two L&T sites

By Nikkie Thatcher

South east-based multiple operator Brakspear is investing £2m into two of its leased and tenanted sites after signing agreements with growing pub groups Little & Large and Friendship and Beer.

Development opportunities: TRG acquired by Apollo Global Management (Credit: Getty/Martin Barraud)

TRG to be taken private in £506m deal

By Finn Scott-Delany

The Restaurant Group is to be acquired by Apollo Global Management in a cash acquisition valuing the company at around £506m.

Improved outlook: Marston's reports 10.1% sales increase

Marston's sales up 10% as pubco reduces head office costs

By Rebecca Weller

Pub operator and brewer Marston’s has reported like-for-like sales in the 52 weeks to Saturday 30 September were 10.1% up compared with the same period last year as well as a £5m reduction in head office costs.

Head-to-head: M&B to rival Greene King's US-style barbecue operation with new smokehouse opening (Credit: Getty/luchezar)

EXCLUSIVE

M&B to launch US-style barbecue venue

By The Morning Advertiser

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) are set to go head-to-head with Greene King with the launch of a new operation focused on "Slow ‘n Low" US-style barbecue food.

Who were the winner in the Punch awards?

Best pubs in Punch estate celebrated

By Ed Bedington

The best Punch pub operators have been unveiled following a rigorous process to pick out the best from the company’s 1,300 businesses.

Significantly stronger: JDW reports 9.9% sales increase (Pictured: JDW chairman Tim Martin)

JDW reports 9.9% sales increase

By Rebecca Weller

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has reported like-for-like sales were up 9.9% in the nine weeks to 1 October 2023 compared to the same period last year.

What's in the news 5 October

Review of the Week

'National living wage is very inflationary'

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington catches up with award winning operator Clive Price of Barons Pub Company for his take on the week's news.

Great scope: Andrew Bush says Greene King apprenticeships cover a huge variety of job roles

How the apprentice can become a master

By Gary Lloyd

A recent survey by Greene King found 19% of parents feel university is not the right choice for their children so The Morning Advertiser caught up with chief people & transformation officer Andrew Bush to find out about the opportunities offered with...

Record results: Jonathan Neame is confident for the future

‘Record revenues’ achieved by Shepherd Neame

By Gary Lloyd

Shepherd Neame CEO Jonathan Neame is confident “the turmoil of the past few years is now settling” as the company achieved “record revenues” in the 52 weeks ended 24 June 2023.

On the market: JD Wetherspoon has appointed two estate agents to sell 11 of its pubs (credit: Getty/JanpenBoonbao)

JDW to sell 11 pubs

By Gary Lloyd

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has appointed estate agents Savills and CBRE to sell 11 of its pubs.

Advice given: delegates at The Morning Advertiser's MA Leaders event in Bristol heard about recruiting staff from overseas

MA LEADERS CLUB

Tips on recruiting chefs from overseas

By Nikkie Thatcher

Operators attending the latest MA Leaders Club in Bristol heard how one business recruited from overseas to help ease staff shortages.

City focus: members of the MA Leaders Club gathered in Bristol for the last meeting of the year (image: Getty/Andy Sage)

MA LEADERS CLUB

Operators reveal the secrets behind trading in Bristol

By Nikkie Thatcher

Sustainability and independent venues are important to the pubgoers of Bristol, delegates at The Morning Advertiser's MA Leaders Club heard in the city this week (Wednesday 13 September).

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