Operators

City Pub Group celebrates strong summer trade

21-Sep-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The City Pub Group has reported positive trade across summer and the group continues to operate in line with full year expectations.

MA LEADERS CLUB

Tips on recruiting chefs from overseas

18-Sep-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

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

Brakspear top brass pub 'takeover' hailed a success

18-Sep-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies and other head office members have vowed to help out their pubs again after a pub takeover proved a real success.

Amber Taverns reports 70% revenue increase, earmarks 16 new openings

15-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Amber Taverns has announced a 70% increase in revenue with between 14 and 16 new openings earmarked before the end of this year.

Review of the Week

'Our industry is an engine for social mobility'

14-Sep-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Adnams boss Andy Wood to get his take on the week's news, from pricing, to recruitment and wellbeing.

MA LEADERS CLUB

Operators reveal the secrets behind trading in Bristol

14-Sep-2023 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).

Stonegate receives backlash for dynamic pricing move

13-Sep-2023 By Shwetali Sapte

Stonegate Group has received backlash following its announcement to introduce dynamic beer pricing.

KLM Pubco snaps up biggest site yet

13-Sep-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

KLM Pubco has taken on the Marquis of Ormonde in Ripley, Derbyshire, which is its biggest site to date.

OPINION

'It's much harder to keep people happy'

13-Sep-2023 By Karen Errington, the Rat, Anick, Northumberland

When I was asked to write an opinion piece on the issues that affect us in the industry today, it was nigh on impossible to write about anything other than rising costs and the struggle for us small businesses to stay viable.

Stick or twist: Will Stonegate's dynamic pricing gamble pay off?

12-Sep-2023 By Ed Bedington

Stonegate’s decision to run dynamic pricing in some "select pubs" in its managed estate has opened up quite an interesting can of worms.

Stonegate launches dynamic pricing

12-Sep-2023 By Ed Bedington

The UK’s largest pub group has launched a new system of dynamic pricing, which could see prices increase in some pubs during busier periods.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

'Good timing' for St Austell takeover of Bath Pub Co

12-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

After a “tumultuous few years’” in the sector, managing director and co-founder of the Bath Pub Company, Joe Cussens, told The Morning Advertiser (MA) it was time for a “new chapter” for both him and the business.

A look at the MA Leaders Bristol study tour venues

11-Sep-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

With the last MA Leaders Club meeting of 2023 taking place this week, we've taken a look at where we will be visiting as part of the event in Bristol.

St Austell Brewery acquires Bath Pub Company

11-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

St Austell Brewery has announced its procurement of the Bath Pub Company.

Review of the Week

'There are so many businesses out there struggling'

08-Sep-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington met up with Greene King boss Nick Mackenzie to get his take on the week's news, from the Ofgem consultation to the Rugby World Cup

OPINION

Support through cost-of-living-crisis crucial in 'preserving pub institution'

08-Sep-2023 By Becky Cassapi, general manager, the Plough in Normanton-on-the-Wolds, Nottingham

As the General Manager of the Plough in Normanton on the Wolds, Nottingham, part of The Secret Pub Company, I have had the privilege of witnessing our pub's role in the community.

TRG chair to step down

08-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has announced its chairman, Ken Hanna, will step down.

OPINION

Batten down and call out Brexit

07-Sep-2023 By Brendan Padfield, owner, the Unruly Pig, Bromeswell, Suffolk

As autumn beckons, sadly further clouds appear to be gathering for the hospitality sector. Many of our team at the Unruly Pig are not alone facing whopping increases in their mortgage payments from October to December, which will significantly adversely...

TRG reports 'standout' performance across pub division

06-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has reported a 10% increase in revenue, driven by “standout” performances across its pubs and concessions.

BrewDog appoints new COO

04-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Scottish brewer and pub operator BrewDog has appointed James Arrow as its new chief operating officer (COO).

JDW slashing prices to highlight benefit of permanent VAT cut

04-Sep-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub behemoth JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is cuttings its prices by 7.5% for one day in a bid to highlight showcase the positive impact a permanent VAT reduction would have for the hospitality sector.

Admiral pub at risk of demolition

01-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

An Admiral Taverns site in north Lincolnshire is at risk of demolition to make way for flats.

Licensee celebrates 40 years behind bar

31-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Licensee Lorraine Hewitson celebrated her 40-year milestone behind the bar at the Lancashire-based coaching inn the Royal Oak, citing the "extended family" of the community as her favourite part of the job.

Family opens historic pub after makeover

31-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A husband-and-wife team have just reopened historic inn the Railway Hotel in Kent after an extensive transformation.

Reverse mentoring scheme expanded at Greene King

30-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Suffolk-based brewer and pub operator Greene King has expanded its reverse mentoring scheme following great success as senior leaders learn from more hands-on employees.

Arkell’s toasts long-serving licensees

29-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Wiltshire brewer and pub operator Arkell’s Brewery has celebrated the 25-year milestone of Nicholas Tilt and Anne Andrews running of the Duke of Edinburgh, in Winkfield.

Manchester ‘perfect fit’ for new Escapism Bars venues

29-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Escapism Bars are gearing up for their first foray into Manchester, with two new sites launching under the Mean Eyed Cat and Tiki Hideaway brands.

Shepherd Neame reopens pub after £1.8m makeover

29-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame has reopened historic pub the Duke of Cumberland in Whitstable, Kent after a £1.8m transformation.

BIG INTERVIEW

Why the JAT model is a Star for Heineken’s pubco

25-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

In the week Star Pubs & Bars announced it was set to boost the number of it Just Add Talent model pubs by 67%, operations director Mick Howard explained more about the move and what he would like to see from the current Government to help the sector.

Admiral invests £16m in refurbs so far this year

25-Aug-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Chester-based pub company Admiral Taverns has pumped £16m across 199 pubs in its portfolio since the beginning of 2023.

The Chickpea Group ploughs £200k into new pub

25-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Wiltshire-based operator the Chickpea Group has invested £200,000 into its sixth pub which is set to open in late summer.

Review of the Week

'I don't feel represented'

24-Aug-2023 By Ed Bedington

Top chef and pub and bistro operator Gary Usher calls for more passion from lobbyists, greater support for independent businesses, a reduction in VAT and talks about the challenges around recruitment in the MA's Review of the Week.

Admiral and new licensee pump £250k into Glasgow pub

24-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Glasgow’s Millwood pub has reopened after a combined £250,000 investment from pubco Admiral Taverns and new licensee Jacqueline Kyle.

The Cask Project

Greene King’s £250k pledge for women’s sport

23-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Suffolk-based brewer and pub operator Greene King has pledged to donate more than £250,000 towards women’s sport after the England Lionesses’ amazing football World Cup campaign.

JDW announces new Heathrow Airport site

23-Aug-2023 By Rebecca Weller

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has confirmed the opening date of a new pub at Heathrow Airport.

Greene King site reopens as a Hive pub after £500k refurb

22-Aug-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Former Greene King managed site the Ainsty in North Yorkshire has reopened as a Hive Pub after a £500,000 transformation from the pub operator and brewer.

Star to increase JAT pubs by 67% in 3 years

21-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Star Pubs & Bars is set to accelerate openings of its Just Add Talent (JAT) managed operator pubs business to 250 sites within three years.

Review of the Week

'Recruitment is getting a bit easier'

18-Aug-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington met up with Yummy Collection's Anthony Pender to chat through the week's news, from takeaway pints to energy and new openings.

My Pub

My Pub: the Strait & Narrow, Lincoln

18-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Strait & Narrow is set in the centre of Lincoln and was deemed best-in-class when it won Best City/Urban Pub in the Great British Pubs Awards 2022.

JDW issues second ‘correction’ on Daily Mail articles

18-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has issued a “correction” to “a number of factual errors” in an article posted in the Mail Online from Tuesday (15 August).

Admiral pumps more than half a million pounds into refurbs

16-Aug-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Chester-based pub company Admiral Taverns has ploughed £576,000 into refurbishing a trio of pubs.

Beach towel reservations permitted for garden seats

16-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

As the weather begins to show signs of getting sunnier, one pub is allowing customers to reserve their seat in the garden with beach towels.

Town hero celebrated at red-carpet pub party

15-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A man has been crowned a ‘local legend’ in a red-carpet style celebration at a town pub after he was nominated in a nationwide campaign from Punch Pubs for his devotion to helping others.

Greene King: 19% of parents would not urge kids to go to university

15-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

One of five parents would not encourage their children to go to university, according to brewer and pub operator Greene King.

H&W sees underlying profit before tax up by £2.8m

15-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Dorset-based brewer and pub operator Hall & Woodhouse (H&W) has announced a 175% rise in underlying profit before tax in its 2022 financial year ended 28 January 2023.

Star ploughs £60k into online help for licensees

14-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pub company Star Pubs & Bars has invested more than £60,000 in creating a one-stop online support platform for its licensees that it said is tailored to their pub’s offer.

Brits ‘at their happiest’ in a pub garden

14-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Despite almost constant rain across the UK for most of July and August, a survey has discovered Brits are happiest when relaxing in a pub garden.

Take a look inside new Admiral Taverns pub

11-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Admiral Taverns pub the Maindee in Newport, South Wales, re-opened on Wednesday 9 August following a major investment of £215,000.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Jodie Kidd: owning a pub is rewarding but a ‘steep learning curve’

11-Aug-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Morning Advertiser caught up with pub operator, former racing driver, model and TV personality, Jodie Kidd, to talk about her time in the industry and the ongoing challenges faced by the sector.

Review of the Week

'We're cheaper than McDonalds!'

11-Aug-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with Revolution boss Rob Pitcher to get his take on the week's news from inflation to late night closures and the opportunities for AI.