Operators

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.

CAMRA demands pubs be rebuilt ‘brick by brick’ after illegal demolition

11-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

CAMRA has demanded pubs that have been converted or demolished illegally must be rebuilt “brick by brick” after finding more than 30 sites may have suffered such fates in the past six months.

The Botanist bars owner appoints Amber Wood as COO

10-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Bar operator New World Trading Company (NWTC) has appointed Amber Wood as its new chief operating officer.

Seven Bro7hers smashes £250k funding target

10-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Seven Bro7hers Brewery has smashed its latest Crowdfunding target of £250,000 with 26 days of the campaign remaining.

My Shout

Where is the outrage for all pubs?

10-Aug-2023 By Heath Ball

The justified anger and passion from the general public, members of parliament, and the press regarding the suspected arson of the beloved Crooked House near Dudley has truly captured the nation's attention and fuelled our collective outrage.

Crooked House pub blaze treated as ‘arson’

10-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A fire, which tore through Britain’s ‘wonkiest’ pub just a month after its sale, is being treated as arson, according to police.

‘Britain’s wonkiest pub’ burns down a month after sale

08-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Police are “reviewing all the available evidence” on the cause of a fire that destroyed “Britain’s wonkiest pub” after it was sold to a private buyer last month (July).

Rising costs force ‘heartbroken’ licensee to close pub

07-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A pub in Worcestershire formerly run by the England football team’s chef will shut its doors due to rising costs, its licensee has announced.

JDW accuses Daily Mail of 'hyperbole and exaggeration'

04-Aug-2023 By Rebecca Weller

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has accused national newspaper the Daily Mail of causing “unnecessary alarm” regarding recent reports of its pub disposals.

Punch Pubs like-for-like revenue up to £233.9m

04-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Punch Pubs has increased its like-for-like revenue by £22.6m for the 40-week period to 21 May 2023.

Review of the Week

'Can't see it getting a lot better'

04-Aug-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Frisco Pubs boss and podcast legend Heath Ball to get his take on the week's news, from duty changes and utilities profits to the weather.

Heartwood Collection boss: 'rebrand symbolises the business we are trying to be’

03-Aug-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The recent rebrand for Heartwood Collection from Brasserie Bar Co is part of the company’s strategy to branch out into pubs with rooms.

BrewDog to launch new bar in Australia

02-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

BrewDog is set to open a new bar in Perth, Australia, at the end of the year.

My Pub

My Pub: the Red Lion, Shepperton, Surrey

02-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Riverside pub the Red Lion in Shepperton is a Great British Pub Awards winner – and with good reason.

Yummy Pubs to launch seafood restaurant in the capital

01-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Multi-site operator Yummy Pubs is gearing up to launch a new seafood restaurant concept, Faber, after acquiring a site in Hammersmith.

Liberation Group to invest in more rooms across estate

01-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Liberation Group will invest in expanding its accommodation offer after announcing like-for-like (lfl) sales on the rooms side of its UK business has risen by 14.7% in the first half (H1) of its current financial year (FY23).

£1bn water pipeline could put UK's #1 gastropub out of business

31-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Plans to replace a water pipeline running through Lancashire will be a "complete disaster" for Britain’s No.1 gastropub, the Parker’s Arms, according to its licensee.

My Pub

My Pub: Greene Oak, Oakley Green, Berkshire

28-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

James Lyon-Shaw is the owner of Brucan Pubs, which includes the Greene Oak, which won Green King Pub of the Year in the Great British Pub Awards 2022. Here he gives The Morning Advertiser a virtual tour around the site.

Review of the Week

'We've got to support each other'

28-Jul-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with the Vaulkhard Group's Ollie Vaulkhard to talk about challenges, positivity and the price of a pint.

Like-for-like sales up 8.9% at M&B

27-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) believes it will “continue to outperform the sector” after reporting like-for-like (lfl) sales in the year to date were up 8.9% versus last year.

Town’s ‘longest-serving’ licensee marks 30 years behind bar

26-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The “longest-serving publican” in town has celebrated his 30th anniversary at the Poachers pub in Bedwell Crescent, Stevenage.

Marston’s delivers ‘strong performance’, food tie-ups to be extended

26-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pub operator Marston’s has “delivered another strong trading performance” and is also set to increase the number of food-led partnerships in its sites after a successful trial.

Late-night trade challenging for Revolution Bars Group

26-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Revolution Bars Group has admitted late-night trading continues to be a struggle as it posted overall like-for-like (lfl) sales were 8.7% down versus pre-Covid.

Big Smoke Pub Co appoints administrators

25-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Big Smoke Pub Co has been acquired by Esher ABC Limited after going into administration.

Admiral invests £10m-plus into estate

25-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Admiral Taverns has invested more than £10m into upgrading its community pubs throughout the first half of 2023.

Blind Tiger Inns snaps up 2 pubs with Star

25-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

North West pub operator Blind Tiger Inns is taking the leases of two new pubs with Star Pubs & Bars.

Stonegate 'to axe up to 260 jobs'

25-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pub company Stonegate is set to enter into a consultation process that could make up to 260 roles redundant, as it restructures its central functions and operations management team.

Inflated energy prices force permanent pub closure

24-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Black Phoenix pub in Southampton, Hampshire, thanked guests for “breathing life” into the place over the years as it announced a shock closure.

Kent couple go multiple after lunch at picturesque village pub

24-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

A lunch date at Shepherd Neame site has led to a pub-running couple to take on their second venture with the brewer and pubco after being enamoured with the picturesque village inn. Here are some pictures of the George and the operators

Fuller’s like-for-like sales up 15.1%

20-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pub operator Fuller, Smith & Turner (Fuller’s) has announced a like-for-like (lfl) sales boost of 15.1% for the first 15 weeks of its financial year (FY23) to 15 July 2023.

Friendly staff ‘key’ to business success

20-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Staff can make or break a business according to general manager of the Angel Inn, which was recently recognised as one of the top places to stay in the Lake District.

Heartbroken owner announces closure of ‘dream’ bar

19-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Corto bar in Clitheroe, Lancashire, will close in September, leaving its co-founder “devastated” and scared for the future of the pub sector.

‘Exceptional’ performance by Brunning & Price

19-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Restaurant Group (TRG), which operates the Brunning & Price pub brand, has reported an “exceptional trading performance” in the first half its 2023 financial year (FY23).

‘Stand-out’ performance from Craft Union arm of Stonegate

18-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Craft Union, Stonegate Group’s operator-led pub model has delivered a “stand-out” performance as like-for-like (lfl) sales rose by 14.7% for the 28-week period to 9 April 2022.

The Pub People expands by 50% in six months

17-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Pub People has grown its estate by 50% in six months, a move its non-executive chairman cites as one of his biggest achievements as he eyes the future with “confidence”.

Review of the Week

‘It’s a bit of a war out there’

14-Jul-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Heartwood Collection chairman Mark Derry to discuss the week's news, from duty rates to recruitment and the need to be more upbeat.

Be At One staff trek across London for charity walk

14-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Staff from Stonegate Group’s late-night bar brand Be At One have taken part in a 26-mile walk taking in as many sites as possible on a ‘bar-a-thon’.

Young's procures three sites from Marston’s Revere

12-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Southern-England based pub operator and brewer Young’s has acquired three managed sites from Marston’s Revere Pub Company.

Reilley: Sector not ‘all doom and gloom’ as Loungers posts record results

12-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Loungers chairman Alex Reilley has claimed it is not fair to say the sector is “all doom and gloom” as the café-bar operator reported like-for-like (lfl) sales up 7.4% in its financial year (FY23) results.

JDW lfl sales up 11% for first quarter versus pre-Covid

12-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has announced like-for-like (lfl) sales for the first quarter of its financial year have risen by 11% versus the same period pre-Covid.

Pub People celebrates ‘strong’ trade

11-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Pub People Group has accelerated its expansion plans by making several freehold acquisitions, including an addition of five pubs to its portfolio last month.

Cat & Wickets eyes expansion, £750k revamp of Griffin planned

11-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Cat & Wickets Pub Company, owned by cricket stars Harry Gurney and Stuart Broad, and former Peach Pubs chief Lee Cash, is targeting expansion with one site more per year opening until 2026.

Multi-site operators to visit UK's 'first cycling city'

10-Jul-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

With the MA Leaders Club crowd set to hit Bristol later this year (September), we’ve looked at the history of the city and its thriving food and drink scene.

Village pub forced to close due to fire

10-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

A Shropshire pub has been forced to close following the breakout of an electrical fire.

McMullen passes £100m turnover mark for first time

10-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Hertfordshire-based brewer and pub operator McMullen & Sons has reported turnover for the group passed £100m for the first time in the company’s history.

Brunning & Price co-founder takes on 5th site for Pubs Ltd

10-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Co-founder of Brunning & Price pubs – Jerry Brunning – has taken a fifth site for his Pubs Ltd group.

Review of the Week

Three year anniversary since Independence Day!

07-Jul-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with Anglian Country Inns boss James Nye to get his take on the week's news, from milestone anniversaries to machine learning!