Marketing

Business based on businesses: General manager James Pears explains the success of Brewhouse & Kitchen's Islington site

What makes a Brewhouse & Kitchen tick?

By Emily Hawkins

In a city with many brewpubs and a customer base that is ever-changing, Brewhouse & Kitchen knows it has to go above and beyond. General manager James Pears explains what the Islington site does to catch punters’ attention

Best inn show: Louise Dinnes from the Black Swan, Cumbria, explains what makes the award-winning site so special

My Pub: the Black Swan, Ravenstonedale, Cumbria

By Emily Hawkins

The Black Swan has managed to stay true to its role as a village pub while thriving by targeting different markets. Owner Louise Dinnes explains what makes the Cumbrian inn – which took home Best Inn in last year’s Great British Pub Awards – so special.

Bullish about the future: General manager Molly Raftery at the Bull, Ditchling, explains what makes her pub so special

My Pub: The Bull at Ditchling

By Emily Hawkins

Nestled in the rolling Sussex countryside, those running the Bull are determined to excel. General manager Molly Raftery explains how the freehouse pairs its ambition with a down-to-earth approach.

Paid for: platforms such as TripAdvisor are fighting to protect real reviews

Operators ‘outraged’ over paid positive reviews offer

By Nicholas Robinson

Not long into the New Year and already operators are facing new threats against their businesses. On the face of it an email from a stranger suggesting you pay them money for positive pub reviews may, to some, appear innocuous. But the fact is, it poses...

Soho treasure: Ken Wright talks about the independent Phoenix Artist Club and its award success

My Pub: the Phoenix Artist Club, Soho, central London

By Robert Mann

Considered one of Soho’s hidden gems, the Phoenix Artist Club is one of London’s last remaining independently owned and operated venues – as well as being an award-winning treasure.

Quintessentially Christmassy: the Long Arm Pub & Brewery has brewed the Mince Pie-PA

London pub brews mince pie beer

By Emily Hawkins

A pub will serve a mince pie-flavoured beer to "bring Londoners a glass of festive nostalgia" during the Christmas period.

Warm welcome: the Famous Three Kings is host to fans of all sports and does not favour any particular team

My Pub: the Famous Three Kings, Fulham, west London

By Stuart Stone

It’s rare to come across a manager who’s won three titles on the spin on these shores. Paul Eastwood, however, has led the team at the Famous Three Kings to a three-in-a-row top slot in the Great British Pub Awards’ Sport category. Here he explains how...

More than a logo: the Bass red triangle is not just a mark of ownership but a pledge of quality as well.

Opinion

In the brand scheme of things

By Pete Brown

As JDW distances itself from being a ‘brand’, Pete Brown looks at why its identity is, in fact, its key strength

Rear window: what should the back bar look like?

What should the back bar look like?

By Emma Eversham

The back bar is a pub or bar’s shop window, where a well-thought-out display can really add to the bottom line. So what does a licensee need to think about when deciding what to put there?

Strong as an ox: Michael Ibbotson shares his thoughts on running his pub the Durham Ox.

My Pub: the Durham Ox, York

By Claire Churchard

Michael Ibbotson has been a busy man over the years and despite moving back to a position of owning just one site, there is still plenty for him to do at the Durham Ox.

Branding: JD Wetherspoon said it does not think of itself as a ‘brand’ after it was crowned a UK winner at the 2018 World Branding Awards (image: Stephen J Mason, Wikimedia)

JD Wetherspoon says it is 'not a brand'

By Emily Hawkins

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon said it does not think of itself as a ‘brand’, following its success at the 2018 World Branding Awards.

Beer aficionados and the winner of this year’s Best Beer Pub, North Bar began its life two decades ago. General manager Cal Lister explains why the pub was so deserving of the award.

My Pub: North Bar, Leeds

By Nikkie Sutton

Beer aficionados and the winner of this year’s Best Beer Pub, North Bar began its life two decades ago. North general manager Cal Lister explains why the pub was so deserving of the award.

Transparent: It will pay operators everywhere to overhaul their glassware, Jo Bruce reports

How reconsidering glassware will benefit your pub

By Jo Bruce

With the pull of a quality glass receptacle for drinkers clear for all to see from the wealth of pictures now posted on social media, it will pay operators everywhere to overhaul their glassware

Ultimate makeover: Heath Ball has turned a gloomy basic boozer into the best pub in Britain

My Pub: the Red Lion & Sun, Highgate, north London

By Ed Bedington

Heath Ball has had a busy year, not least because his Red Lion & Sun pub won the John Smith’s Great British Pub of the Year award. Here he explains the secrets of his success

Not always a country idyll: Those living in rural communities can often find themselves isolated, particularly as they get older

How are pubs tackling the loneliness epidemic?

By Emily Hawkins

Loneliness has been described as a looming public health concern. But pubs are helping fight this creeping epidemic by bringing people together with food, drink and inclusive events

Challenging times: 'it is time we began to measure more than just financial returns for the viability of a rural pub', says Pub is the Hub's John Longden

My shout: investing in pub pioneers

By John Longden

At this particularly challenging time for anyone in business, we seem to be finding a variety of mixed experiences across the pub industry which can make it difficult for those pubs seeking investment, says Pub is the Hub's John Longden

Welcome to the Club: you holiday in the Hamptons? Try drinking at the Club House instead

My Pub: the Club House, Chavasse Park, Liverpool

By Claire Churchard

A pub designed to look like a manor in the Hamptons is certainly unique in Liverpool. General manager Leigh Edmondson reveals how the pub has brought a little bit of the American dream to the north-west

Starman: Ziggy's bar will pay tribute to the pop star David Bowie with a unique cocktail menu and rarely seen photographs

Ziggy's hotel bar to honour David Bowie

By Emily Hawkins

One of David Bowie’s former haunts, the Hotel Café Royal, London, will pay tribute to the pop icon with a new bar opening this month.

Forecast looks good: set sail for the Ship Inn to see a great pub saved from hard times

My Pub: the Ship Inn, Wadebridge, Cornwall

By Stuart Stone

After being dragged from dilapidated depths in 2013, the Ship Inn has made waves with licensee Rupert Wilson at the helm, plundering regional and national recognition in the process for its fine dining offer

Adding rooms: Expedia Group's director market management, UK & Ireland, Krishan Kadodwala, argues that revenue from letting rooms is paramount

My shout: room to grow your business

By Krishan Kadodwala

With growing numbers of visitors looking to travel around the UK and stay in pubs, a focus on maximising revenue from letting rooms is key, particularly with competition hotting up, argues Expedia Group's market management director, UK & Ireland,...

Whatever floats your Longboat: set sail for the Longboat Inn near Penzance Harbour in Cornwall

My Pub: the Longboat Inn, Penzance, Cornwall

By Emily Hawkins

Once a temperance hotel, this welcoming family pub near Penzance harbour was given a new lease of life by licensees Martyn and Lynda Cripps and is now particularly proud of its ales

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Property of the week

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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