27-Feb-2009 By Tim Martin
The pub sector is suffering because entrepreneurs like Hugh Osmond, above right, made millions by borrowing far too much, says Wetherspoon founder...
26-Feb-2009 By John Harrington
A Punch tenant says his bank's decision not to lend him money to buy his pub's freehold defies logic. John Chapman asked NatWest for a loan of...
20-Feb-2009 By Andrew Pring
Punch may want to reinvent its business model, but it needs to be realistic about pub sale prices — and banks need to start lending to licensees.
19-Feb-2009 By John Harrington
Angry licensees have slated major high-street banks for saying that they won't lend to pubs — MA inundated with complaints from licensees looking for credit.
Fat cats, noses in troughs and executive pay
16-Feb-2009 By Hamish Champ
The issue of 'fat cats' is on everyone's lips again. Bankers with their 'noses in the trough' - if that's not overdoing the ol' animal kingdom...
12-Feb-2009 By John Harrington
Banking giant Santander has apologised to a licensee after she was reportedly told by the group it won't lend to any pubs. Santander, which owns...
Hamish Champ: It's time for pubco chief exec's pay to be frozen
09-Feb-2009 By Hamish Champ
I read last week's news reports of senior bankers' bonuses with the sort of incredulity I usually reserve for people who argue the world was created...
30-Jan-2009 By The PMA Team
Nightclub company Nexum has expressed an interest in buying Premium Bars and Restaurants' six nightclubs.
29-Jan-2009 By The PMA Team
Nightclub company Nexum Leisure is on the lookout for transformational deals in 2009 as a tough market produces "winners and losers". Nexum is 70%...
23-Jan-2009 By Mark Stretton, M&C Report
Merger talks have taken place between Premium Bars & Restaurants and 3D Entertainment.
13-Jan-2009 By Ewan Turney
Super-regional brewer and operator Marston's has agreed an extension to its banking facilities until August 2013. The facility, agreed with a...
Marston's confirms bank financing extension
13-Jan-2009 By Hamish Champ
Midlands brewer Marston's has confirmed the completion of an extension to its bank financing facility, first announced last month. The brewer's bank...
08-Jan-2009 By Mark Stretton, M&C Report
Latest accounts from Utopian Leisure Group, the North-East bar and club operator led by Bob Senior, show it breached its banking covenants, according...
08-Jan-2009 By Ewan Turney
The Bank of England has cut interest rates by a further 0.5% to 1.5% — the lowest in its 315-year history. The historic move is designed to spark...
Marston's extends banking facilty to 2013
10-Dec-2008
Marston's has agreed an extension of its banking facilities for three years to 2013.The brewer and pub operator has tied up the deal with a syndicate...
Mark Kenyon: Will this Christmas see much goodwill between pub operators and their banks?
17-Nov-2008
The last few weeks in banking have been historic and when my grandchildren study economics at school (my daughters are aged 14 & 11), I will be...
06-Nov-2008 By Ewan Turney
The Bank of England has cut interest rates by 1.5% in a dramatic move to 3% — its lowest since 1955.
10-Oct-2008 By Tony Halstead
Banks are beginning to turn the screw on pubs as the global economic crisis hits the high street. Business loans and charges for overdraft...
'Drink prices must rise to cut alcohol deaths, doctors advise'
09-Oct-2008 By James Wilmore
The price of alcohol must be increased and beer, wine and spirits companies should be banned from advertising, doctors have advised. They believe...
08-Oct-2008 By Ewan Turney
The Bank of England has cut interest rates by 0.5% to 4.5% in a co-ordinated approach with the rest of the world.
08-Oct-2008 By Ewan Turney
The Federation of Small Businesses has called on the Government to put small businesses at the forefront of the bank restructuring programme.
Pub stocks slide again as gloom worsens
06-Oct-2008 By Hamish Champ
Shares in listed pubcos took another battering today as the stock market responded to yet more bad news surrounding the consumer, the viability of...
City waits on US 'bail out' vote
29-Sep-2008 By Hamish Champ
The vote on the proposed US$700bn 'bail out' of the US banking system is being keenly awaited by City analysts, desperate for some good news for the...
Geoff Newton: Bearing with the banks
12-Sep-2008
It's raining again... so the old Supertramp song goes, and the thought of an Indian summer is fading fast. Beer gardens remain empty and licensees'...
14-Aug-2008 By Tony Halstead
Major banks have denied they are tightening the screw on loans and overdrafts as the economic slowdown continues to hit the leisure sector.
Cains still in crisis talks with banks
01-Aug-2008 By Hamish Champ
Troubled Cains Beer Company remains in crisis talks with its bankers as it seeks to avoid being wound up by the taxman over an unpaid tax bill.Her...
29-Jul-2008 By The PMA Team
Liverpool brewer and operator Cains is in breach of its banking covenants and executives at the Bank of Scotland are considering its future.
Gas debacle for 'freezing' licensee
05-Jun-2008 By John Harrington john.harrington@william-reed.co.u
British Gas Business error quadruples bill Another licensee has fallen victim to a basic billing error that saw gas bills increase four-fold over...
High Court rules against banks' penalty charges
01-May-2008 By John Harrington john.harrington@william-reed.co.u
OFT could now ask High Court for decision Hosts could find it easier to reclaim penalty charges from banks in the future after a new legal ruling....
Agents hail cut in rates
28-Apr-2008 By James Wilmore
Property agents have welcomed the cut in interest rates, claiming it will bring "renewed confidence to the market". Bank of England Governor Mervyn...
Chris Maclean: A financial dilemma
11-Feb-2008 By Chris Maclean
I bank with the Post Office. My bookkeeper tells me it is the cheapest option, they are open at more convenient hours and they are good for supplying...
Sports Cafe is sold
24-Jan-2008 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report
Agilo, a London-based special situations fund, buys the troubled bar operator for an undisclosed sum
Barclays appoints new head of licensed trade business
13-Nov-2007 By Hamish Champ
Andrew Meadowcroft has been appointed as head of licensed trade business at Barclays Commercial Bank. Meadowcroft, who is also a relationship...
BarTalk
19-Apr-2007
Are you hoping to claim back charges from your bank? Steve Haslam Cutter Inn Ely Cambridgeshire It's not something that we really have to deal with,...
Would-be licensees out of pocket
25-Aug-2005
Would-be licensees have again been left out of pocket by a pub operator offering them the pub of their dreams.Manchester-based Aviation Group Ltd,...
New warning over untrustworthy broker loans
21-Apr-2005
Licensees looking for finance should never pay any money up-front to a broker unless they have a letter detailing the offer of their loan, according...
Finance: Chipping in
04-Mar-2005
Do you have Chip & PIN in your pub yet? Whether you do or not, it's worth knowing what your options are. Phil Mellows reports.You might think...
What do you think of the service you get from your banks?
03-Mar-2005
Jim McNichol Exeter Inn Ashburton Derbyshire "They chargetoo much for cashing cheques and the small things. I am quite lucky as I don't have a...
Jail for pub manager in £21,000 scam
14-Oct-2004
A Sunderland pub manager has been jailed for six months after he pocketed more than £21,000 of Mitchells & Butlers cheques. Brian Richardson,...
You can bank on it
29-Jan-2004
RBS invests millions in pubs. Mark Stretton talks to one of its main men.Think of the least admired professions and after estate agents, lawyers and...
InfoPage: The Post Office - Why gamble with your cash?
05-Jun-2003
This InfoPage is an online advertorial from our sponsor The Post Office.Why gamble with your cash?The Post Office® would like to introduce you to an...
l Pub sector property agent Christie's has seen the highest
10-Apr-2003
Gwynn said: "It is our strategy to extend our activities, either in geographical or product terms. The group now has substantial platforms in...
SFI lives to fight another day
07-Jan-2003
Troubled bar group SFI has successfully re-negotiated its sizeable overdraft with a consortium of bankers, led by Barclays.The operator of the high...
'Banks bridle as Breare pub group falters'
25-Nov-2002
The Mail on Sunday newspaper has reported that banks are hesitating to lend new money to Robert Breare's Noble House pubs and restaurants group after...
ATM machines bring increased profits for Unique licensees
10-Sep-2002
Unique Pub Company's licensees are benefiting from increased profits and reduced banking charges after installing cash machines in their...
