Operators

No room to grow: Three Hills at Bartlow managing director Emma Harrison (pictured) shares her thoughts on financial burdens restricting the sector

Opinion

Financial burdens leave no room for growth

By Emma Harrison

For the last few years, it feels like the hospitality sector has been thwarted in every direction, no matter how efficiently we run our businesses, and operating a pub/restaurant with rooms has never been harder.

New site: BOXPARK Liverpool to open late 2023

BOXPARK sets sights on new site

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

BOXPARK has secured planning permission for a new Liverpool venue which will open later this year.

Company results: JDW's trading update earlier in January revealed the group had sold a number of sites while more remained on the market (image: Getty/Image Source)

Which pubs has JDW sold?

By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub behemoth JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has revealed where the 10 sites it has sold are, following information released in its results for the second quarter of its financial year.

Great view: Aviary Rooftop Restaurant & Terrace Bar in Finsbury Square

50% off at ETM sites during rail strikes

By Gary Lloyd

ETM Group and Maven Leisure owner Ed Martin has announced anyone who works in the hospitality sector will be given 50% off food and drinks at its sites on rail strike days.

Eco drive: Mark Chapman (left) and Clive Chesser

Punch joins Zero Carbon Forum

By Gary Lloyd

Punch Pubs & Co has joined the Zero Carbon Forum as the sector bids to unite and reduce energy, cut carbon and costs.

Cautious optimism: JDW reports sales uplift in recent trading period (Getty/ Ingolf Hatz)

JDW ‘cautiously optimistic for future’

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is “cautiously optimistic” for the future, after reporting sales growth of 13.1% versus the same period last year in a recent trading update.

Position of strength: City Pub Group chairman Clive Watson

City Pub Group reports sales growth, COO to depart

By Gary Lloyd

City Pub Group, which owns and operates 44 premium pubs across the south of England and Wales, has reported accelerated like-for-like (lfl) sales growth of 7.8% versus 2019 in the fourth quarter (Q4) of its financial year.

Steadfast trading: Marston's reports like-for-like sales up 4.5% for the 16-week period to 21 January 2023

Marston’s sees ‘positive sales momentum’

By Finn Scott-Delany

Marston’s has reported like-for-like sales up 4.5% for the 16-week period to 21 January 2023 compared to FY2020, the last period unaffected by Covid-19.

Pub setting: John Mills receives his MBE from Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Elizabeth Fothergill, while the BBC films the ceremony

Community pub hosts MBE awarding ceremony

By Gary Lloyd

A former dentist who became a leading light in funding research into vasculitis has been honoured in what is believed to be a first for the pub industry.

Energy focus: Mark McDonald says smart meters have proved to be valuable in cutting costs

Smart meters rolled out to 1/3 of Star pubs

By Gary Lloyd

Star Pubs & Bars is installing gas and electricity smart meters at a third of its pubs to help reduce their energy consumption as utility costs soar and Government help is set to be vastly reduced withdrawn.

Top employer status recognised: JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin

Top employer honour for JDW

By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has been recognised by the Top Employers Institute as a Top Employer in the United Kingdom 2023.

In the wrong: Wimbledon pub operator claims Castle Water falsely charged business £11k for

Pub charged £11k for ‘rogue’ meter readings

By Rebecca Weller

Small businesses are at the “mercy” of utility providers, a south-west London-based licensee has stated after being hit with an £11,000 bill for allegedly incorrect meter readings.

Revolution trade: Rob Pitcher says temporary closures will allow staff to be on ‘brilliant form’

Revolution to expand ‘when time is right’

By Shwetali Sapte

Revolution Bars Group has a strong pipeline in place but remains focused on integrating Peach Pubs into the company in the short term, according to chief executive Rob Pitcher.

All's Wells: generous customers gave an extra £1 for their festive meal for charity

Wells & Co raises £10k via Xmas menu scheme

By Gary Lloyd

Pub operator and brewer Wells & Co has raised £10,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust through an initiative that saw a £1 donation taken from each Christmas meal sold.

Business update: Oakman CEO Dermot King (left) and chairman Peter Borg-Neal (right) (image: Oakman Group)

Oakman eyes £5.3m shareholder raise

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator The Oakman Group is looking to raise £5.3m from shareholders, it revealed in a half year trading update to Sunday 1 January 2023.

Outside factor: pre-booked party revenue for Revolution Bars Group was disrupted by rail strikes

Revolution to make winter closures as lfls fall

By Gary Lloyd

Revolution Bars Group has reported its like-for-like (lfl) sales fell by 9% for the Christmas period versus 2019 – the last time results were not affected by Covid – adding it will close sites on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Exciting developments: Manahatta will come to Sheffield in February

Arc to launch Manahatta in Sheffield

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Premium bar operator Arc Inspirations is set to expand its portfolio with the opening of its landmark venue Manahatta in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

Focused for future: M&B will continue enhancing its estate and has opened an All Bar One

M&B reports 10.4% rise in Q1 lfl sales

By Gary Lloyd

Strong drinks trade has led to a rise in like-for-like (lfl) sales at managed pubs and restaurants operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B).

Delighted: Nightcap CEO and co-founder Sarah Willingham

Nightcap reports record 60.9% revenue boost

By Gary Lloyd

Bar operator Nightcap has reported a record-breaking boost of 60.9% in its revenue and a 4.7% hike in like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks to 1 January 2023.

Thwarted trade: Quiet cities impact trade at REKOM sites (Getty/ Flashpop)

Rail strikes batter REKOM Xmas profits

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Train strikes and the cold snap stifled Christmas trade for late-night goliath REKOM UK, but its chief executive has hope for the future.

Another one bites the dust: Fuller's pub suddenly shuts

Fuller’s pub shuts doors

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Customers have flooded to social media in solidarity for the Ship in Southwark, central London, which has shut permanently due to circumstances beyond its control.

Vital education: Fuller's raises £5,000 for Made in Hackney through plant-based burger sales

Fuller's and Made in Hackney partnership raises £5,000

By Rebecca Weller

Pub operator and brewer Fuller, Smith and Turner has raised £5,000 with plant-based burger sales through its partnership with cookery school and emergency food support service, Made in Hackney.

Hard hit: Cost-of-living forces another pub into hibernation (Getty/ Rogan Macdonald)

Only pub in village forced to close

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The only pub in the village of Broughton, Oxfordshire, has been forced to shut its doors until spring due to the cost-of-living crisis, according to its owner.

January Sale: Cheap pints and burgers at Spoons pubs

JDW welcomes new year with 99p pints

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has launched a January sale across its portfolio with some pints priced at just 99p, despite cost pressures hitting the sector.

Playing Scrooge: Greene King brewery workers strike over Christmas after refusing pay increase offer (Credit: Getty/Monty Rakusen)

Strikes spark Xmas beer shortage fears

By Rebecca Weller

Pubs could “run out” of “popular” beers over Christmas and New Year as Greene King brewery workers take further strike action during the festive period.

Greene King's Karen Bosher leaving

Bosher to leave Greene King

By Georgi Gyton, MCA

Karen Bosher has announced she is stepping down her role as MD of Premium, Urban and Venture at Greene King.

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KENT - HIGH QUALITY FAMILY FRIENDLY PUB

£ 60,000 - Leasehold

Busy location on coastal main road Extensively renovated detached public house Five trade areas (100)  Sizeable refurbished 4-5 bedroom accommodation Newly created beer garden (125) Established and popular business...

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