Operators

Review of the week

Choice, small plates and a touch of theatre is key to success

23-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser’s Ed Bedington caught up with one half of the 2023 BII’s licensees of the Year, Joe Buckley, to get his take on current events.

Arc makes two new board appointments

23-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Leeds-based multiple operator Arc Inspirations has announced the appointments of a new chief financial officer (CFO) and a promotion to marketing director.

McDowall 'I'm in my dream job'

23-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

For some of us, we’re lucky enough to enjoy our jobs, but for Stonegate boss David McDowall, he’s delighted to find himself doing the job he’d always wanted!

Thwaites profits before tax up 19%

22-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brewer and pub operator Daniel Thwaites said “factors that have shaken consumer confidence are going into reverse” as it reported profit before tax rose by 19%.

Revenue rises 16% at Whitbread

22-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Whitbread, which counts Brewers Fayre and Beefeater pubs among its brands, has reported revenue has risen by 16%, for the first quarter (Q1) of its 2024 financial year (FY24).

‘Great leased and tenanted pubs are at the heart of communities’

21-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pub bosses discussed leased and tenanted sites at the MCA Pub Conference yesterday, celebrating the "resilience" of the model.

Admiral ploughs £180k into pub renovation

21-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Admiral Taverns has invested £180,000 into the reopening of a Hertfordshire pub and installed Sarah Woollcott as its new licensee.

BrewDog is named among best 100 as UK Top Employer

21-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Ellon-based brewer and bar operator BrewDog has been named as one of the best 100 companies to work for in the UK.

More than 70% of workplaces failing to support LGBTQ+ community

21-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

More than 70% of companies are not doing enough to support the LGBTQ+ community and the pub is a “fantastic place” to start a conversation about such issues, according to Greene King.

Shepherd Neame reopens site after £1.4m investment

21-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Kent brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame has reopened a Chislehurst pub after a £1.4m investment. Here are some pictures to show you the changes made.

Greene King Pub Partners awarded franchise accreditation

20-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Greene King Pub Partners, the leased, tenanted and franchise business unit of Greene King, has received accreditation from the British Franchise Association (BFA).

Amber Taverns announces three openings

16-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Community wet-led pub operator Amber Taverns has announced the opening of three freehold pubs this month (June 2023), in Cheshire, County Durham and Ayrshire.

‘Excellent progress’ on Wadworth brewery, EBITDA up to £3.64m

15-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brewer and pub operator Wadworth has made “excellent progress” on its new brewery and reported a 122% increase in EBITDA in its financial year ended 31 December 2022.

Admiral Taverns ploughs £217k into pub

15-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Gardeners Arms in Northampton, Northamptonshire, reopened on Friday 9 June following a major investment of £217,000.

Greene King raises more than £5k for Macmillan

15-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Greene King Pub Partners, the leased, tenanted and franchise division of Greene King, has raised more than £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Fuller’s lfls up 13.3% while revenue rises 33%

15-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Simon Emeny of London-based pubco Fuller, Smith & Turner (Fuller’s) has revealed his optimism for the future as like-for-like (lfl) sales rose 13.9% in the 10 weeks to 10 June 2023.

Vaulkhard Group reveals £4.5m expansion plan

14-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Newcastle-based leisure operator, Vaulkhard Group, has announced a £4.5m expansion and growth plan.

Everards reports 109% turnover increase

13-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Leicestershire-based brewer and pub operator Everards has reported a £16.4m (109%) increase in turnover compared with 2021.

Brasserie Bar Co rebrands, targets premium pub sector growth

13-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Brasserie Bar Co is set to be rebranded as Heartwood Collection today, marking the first step in the group’s bid to become a freehold pub company underscored by a premium brasserie division.

JDW food rating score almost perfect

13-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has scored an average rating of 4.99 out of 5 in the latest food hygiene rating league for its 763 pubs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Licensee announces pub closure with ‘heavy heart’

12-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A London-based operator, whose pub has closed for good due to rocketing costs, has chosen to remember the good times.

Greene King ploughs £300k into Six Bells revamp

12-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Six Bells in Shinfield, Berkshire, has reopened after a £300,000 investment by pub owner Greene King.

Shepherd Neame installs more electric car charging points

12-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Independent family brewer and operator Shepherd Neame has announced the installment of new electric car rapid charging points at an additional three pubs in the South East.

Soaring costs force independent pub to reduce hours

12-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

One of Winchester’s last independent pubs has been forced to cut down trading hours due to the ever-increasing costs of business.

Admiral Taverns pub reveals new look after £160k makeover

12-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

An Admiral Taverns site in Chester has reopened following a £160,000 refurbishment.

Inside drinks and gaming bar NQ64's 10th site

12-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Arcade bar NQ64 has launched its biggest site to date and the first of its 10 locations to offer food. Here are some pictures to show you what to expect there.

Revolution’s net zero target approved by climate initiative

12-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Revolution Bars Group has announced its commitment to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its supply chain and operations has been assessed and approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

F1 Arcade simulator brand announces £30m funding for expansion

12-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Competitive socialising brand F1 Arcade has secured a £30m investment to fuel the next phase of its international growth.

Nightcap acquires Dirty Martini

09-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Bar operator Nightcap has acquired the Dirty Martini chain of cocktail bars and Tuttons Brasserie in a £4.65m pre-pack deal.

Estate review reveals ‘robust’ trade at Barkby Group

09-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Barkby has completed a review of its pubs business, focusing on measures to return its estate to profitability in the next financial year.

Admiral reopens Castleford pub after £335k investment

09-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Royal Oak Inn in Castleford has reopened following a combined investment of more than £335,000 from pubco Admiral Taverns and licensees Terry and Keeley Greaves.

James Watt invests in Clean Kitchen Club

08-Jun-2023 By Georgi Gyton, MCA

BrewDog CEO and co-founder James Watt has revealed he is an investor in Clean Kitchen Club.

Brakspear makes new appointment to bolster development

08-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Brakspear has appointed Simone Brown to the company’s newly created head of people role.

Inside Loungers’ latest Brightside venue

08-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

All-day café-bar and restaurant operator Loungers is launching its second Brightside roadside dining site today (8 June 2023).

Southampton pub unveils new play area

07-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

A Hampshire-based pub has opened a new play area to support its local community.

Adnams turnover increases by £7m, suffers £1.2m operating loss

07-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Adnams has reported sales of £64.2m and a £1.2m operating loss during a time that “has been at least as challenging as during the Covid-19 pandemic”.

City Pub Group sales rise 20%, acquires majority share of Mosaic

07-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

City Pub Group has announced sales are up 20% in the first 23 weeks of its financial year versus 2022 while like-for-like (lfl) sales improved by 13% on last year.

Admiral Taverns raises £100k for mental health charity

06-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Admiral Taverns, which operates nearly 1,500 pubs across the UK, has raised £100,000 for its charity partner Chasing the Stigma.

Stonegate promotes Melissa Wisdom to chief commercial officer

05-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Stonegate Group has announced the appointment of Melissa Wisdom as the company’s chief commercial officers.

Village pub reopens after £240k revamp from Star

05-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Star Pubs & Bars has invested £240,000 into an overhaul of a Buckinghamshire village pub that reopened at the weekend.

Making regulars feel 'special' is a 'useful' tool for pubs

05-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Regulars at pubs are "worth their weight in gold" and making them feel "special" by saving their favourite seat is a "useful" tool for operators.

Final five heading to Vegas with BrewDog boss

02-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

BrewDog CEO James Watt has announced the five companies that have a chance of being named The Next Unicorn and will receive huge investment.

£1m makeover breathes new life into historic pub

02-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

SALT Brewing and Ossett Pub Company have announced their joint venture on the renovations and reopening of Georgian pub the Bingley Arms in Horbury, West Yorkshire.

Roxy Leisure to open in Cheltenham for its 17th site

01-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Experiential operator Roxy Leisure is set to open a competitive gaming concept in Cheltenham in August 2023 – marking its 17th UK site.

The Alchemist eyes further UK growth

01-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Creative cocktail bar and restaurant group The Alchemist is looking to expand its portfolio in the UK following its first international opening in Berlin, Germany.

US giant snaps up Rhubarb Hospitality Collection

01-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Global development service and investment company Oak View Group (OVG) has announced today that it will acquire premium hospitality provider Rhubarb Hospitality Collection (RHC).

Proper Pubs ploughs £1m into upgrades in one month

31-May-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Proper Pubs, the community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns, has this month (May 2023), invested more than £1m into upgrading its community pubs.