Coronavirus

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: Thanks a lot Boris!

25-Feb-2021 By Ed Bedington

With the roadmap to reopening the podcast team give their thoughts to the news, (spoiler,the reaction is not that great) and look at how pubs should be approaching the reopening challenge. They also tackle the tricky subject of insurance with special...

3 in 5 pubs unlikely to reopen in April

23-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Three in five pubs across the UK will remain closed when outdoor service only is permitted from 12 April, a trade body has said.

More than a third of hospitality firms plan recruitment drive

22-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Some 36% of hospitality employers intend to recruit new staff in the next three months, according to new research.

In association with Thatchers

The A to Z of pub cider

22-Feb-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

A strong cider offer should be the apple of any pub operator’s eye as the on-trade looks towards the resumption of trade in time for summer.

Manchester operators call for 'clear and simple' reopening plans

19-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub operators in Greater Manchester have appealed to the Government to allow a reopening with sensible parameters, ahead of the Prime Minister’s plan for unlocking the nation.

Sadiq Khan pledges £5m to the eventual reopening of central London

19-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has earmarked £5m to promote the return to central London’s hospitality, retail and cultural venues as soon as it is safe to do so.

Hospitality venues should reopen alongside non-essential retail, BID leader says

18-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

It should be possible for the hospitality sector to reopen at the same time as non-essential shops, a city business leader has claimed.

Why is hospitality safe to reopen?

18-Feb-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Rigorous cleaning regimes, adequate ventilation and the use of Test & Trace are just three examples of why the hospitality sector is safe to reopen, a report from trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has claimed.

Opinion

Latest reports scapegoating pubs ‘arbitrary and unscientific’

17-Feb-2021 By Tim Tomlinson, the White Cross, Merchants 1688, Stonewell Tap, Lancaster, Lancashire

As we move nearer to the possibility of reopening, the debate about what restrictions hospitality venues would be placed under is already beginning.

Furlough contributions 'killing' operators

16-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Operators have said paying National Insurance and pension contributions for furloughed staff has been a huge financial burden while closed.

Pubco bosses call on Chancellor to aid 'sustainable recovery'

15-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

More than 160 CEOs from across the hospitality sector have signed a letter to the Chancellor pleading for further support from the upcoming Budget.

lockdown live

• LIVE: 'No change to the next steps of the roadmap'

15-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Morning Advertiser will bring you the latest updates and reactions to lockdown news impacting the pub sector.

Mitchells & Butlers to raise £350m from shareholders

15-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Birmingham-based pub operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has announced plans to raise £350m through an open share offer to help it cope with the effects of the latest Covid-19 lockdown.

LICENSING HUB – LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Preparing for re-opening – staff refresher training

11-Feb-2021 By Poppleston Allen

Re-opening may be some time off, however, now is the perfect time to think about preparing some refresher training for all your staff to undertake on their return behind the bar to get ahead of the game and reduce any threat of enforcement.

Jobs round-up

Hospitality trade union membership plummets, Inn Collection Group founder retires, Brains CEO steps down

11-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Our latest jobs round-up includes news of peole moves at RedCat Pub Company, Inn Collection Group, Brains and Boxpark.

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: Lockdown, loneliness and livelihoods

10-Feb-2021 By Ed Bedington

Ongoing restrictions, supply shenanigans and whether to invest or not - the team take a topical look at the latest issues for the pub trade in this week's episode of the Lock In podcast and we discuss misguided campaigners and the importance of pubs...

Carlsberg predicts 'dramatic surge' in demand

08-Feb-2021 By MCA Insight

Carlsberg's CEO is expecting a surge in demand this summer similar to a boom seen a century ago as more people are vaccinated and lockdowns lift, according to reports in The Financial Times.

‘Not even a shred of guidance’ for Israel’s hospitality businesses despite world-leading vaccine rollout

08-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Amid continued speculation over post-lockdown plans for UK pubs, bars and restaurants, The MA discussed the resumption of trade in Israel against the backdrop of a world-leading vaccine programme.

MA’S REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Government language around vaccines and relaxations now more ‘confident’

05-Feb-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Shepherd Neame CEO Jonathan Neame to reflect on the week's biggest headlines.

Opinion

'I fear the next budget will focus on recuperating losses rather than support to see us through’

05-Feb-2021 By Andreas Antona, chef owner of the Cross at Kenilworth, Warwickshire, and Simpsons in Edgbaston, Birmingham

I consider myself an optimist and remain hopeful that with the vaccine rolled out Brits will return to the pubs and restaurants that they love.

‘Interim position’ or new forum needed? Lords weigh in on hospitality minister debate

04-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Almost a month after a selection of cross-party MPs backed a motion to appoint a dedicated minister for the hospitality sector, peers grilled the Government on its plans to further support the industry.

Big Interview

'We really need to see some announcements coming from Government soon'

03-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Roxane Marjoram, who operates five pubs under Suffolk-based Gusto Pronto, explains how the business has adapted to Covid conditions and that she now hopes the Government can break away from a ‘stop-start’ pandemic timeline.

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: People power

03-Feb-2021 By Ed Bedington

It's all about the people in this episode of the podcast as the team talk training, furlough challenges, keeping teams engaged, future recruitment challenges and we speak to special guest Jamie Campbell from CPL Learning to get his advice and tips...

Opinion

‘We struggle with the daily barrage of newspapers guessing when we will be open’

02-Feb-2021 By Fiona Hornsby, the Denbigh Castle and the Bridewell, Liverpool

Last year was an interesting one. We secured a long lease on the Denbigh Castle in Liverpool city centre and 2020 began with great hope and excitement.

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Legal Q&A: post-lockdown licensing and opportunities for pubs

01-Feb-2021 By James Anderson, Poppleston Allen

James Anderson from specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen discusses what role pubs could play on post-lockdown high streets and where opportunities exist for operators once restrictions are lifted.

Parliamentary pub sales top £280,000 in 2020 with £20k spent since lockdown one

01-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Wet sales across the Parliamentary Estate’s pub and bars since the UK's first national lockdown totalled more than £20,000 – with many drink prices found beneath both on-trade averages and those of nearby sites.

MA’s Review of the Week

I don’t accept potential ‘lag’ between non-essential retail and pubs reopening

29-Jan-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with the Bath Pub Company’s managing director Joe Cussens to reflect on the week's biggest headlines.

Big Interview

‘The UK has been the example at times of how not to support the hospitality sector’

28-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Searching ‘can dogs get Covid-19’ on Google yields about 3.2bn results. But rather than sift through them all, The Morning Advertiser spoke to David McDowall for a case study of BrewDog’s pandemic symptoms.

Health experts' claims ‘hospitality not Covid hotbed’ comes as ‘no surprise’

28-Jan-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Claims from local public health directors that hospitality venues are not a big risk of coronavirus transmission should come as no surprise, one trade body has said.

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: Show us the money!

27-Jan-2021 By Ed Bedington

It's all about the money in this episode of the podcast as the team talk finances, and speak to grants expert Kevin Stewart to get his advice on how operators can prise the cash grants out of local councils. James and Heath also share their thoughts...

Opinion

How do pubs code rights apply when a pub is sold?

26-Jan-2021 By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

The pandemic is having an effect on many lives and businesses across the whole pub trade – one outcome of this could be pub acquisitions by investors with long-term confidence in the recovery of the sector.

Pub market recovery from 'seismic shock' will not be uniform

26-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Christie & Co’s annual business outlook report forecasts that the pub market’s recovery from Covid-19 in 2021 will be ‘pretty quick’ but varied as one-in-three operators plan pub sales.

Opinion

Forcing pubs to reopen with restrictions undermines ‘slim’ chances of recovery

26-Jan-2021 By Gav Young, the Plough and Barleycorn, Isle of Wight

The whole industry has been led into viewing restrictions and changes from a purely fiscal perspective. In doing so we are missing the long-term devastation being wrought on the trade.

Late-night leaders call for public input into pandemic impact inquiry

25-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Leaders from across the night-time economy have implored the sector’s staff, giggoers and nightlife lovers to take part in a Parliamentary inquiry into British nightlife’s dire Covid symptoms.

MA'S REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Hospitality ‘safe spaces’ would eliminate need for new fines

22-Jan-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Camerons Brewery managing director Chris Soley to reflect on the week's biggest headlines.

Petitions Committee chair urges PM to engage with ‘particularly vulnerable’ hospitality sector

22-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Catherine McKinnell MP has written to Boris Johnson urging him to pursue a 'coordinated approach' with the hospitality sector after the PM appeared cool on the idea of appointing a dedicated minister for the ailing industry.

Pubs provide lockdown meals to those struggling

21-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs have stepped up to help their communities amid a tough third lockdown in England.

Analysis

£200m Redcat investment a vote of confidence in the pub sector ‘resurgence’

21-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

A number of pub sector property experts shared their thoughts on recent news that former Greene King CEO Rooney Anand is to pump £200m into the UK’s ailing sector.

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: Legal issues, support challenges and more...

20-Jan-2021 By Ed Bedington

Legal challenges and opportunities come under the microscope in the latest episode of the Lock In podcast as the team are joined by licensing specialist Andy Grimsey from Poppleston Allen. We also tackle some of latest challenges facing the sector, debate...

Former Greene King CEO raises £200m to invest in pub sector

20-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Former Greene King boss Rooney Anand has raised £200m to invest in Britain’s pub sector, according to Sky News.

Pubs need to reopen when shops do, says Admiral Taverns boss

20-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

There is no reason for pubs to remain closed until May, the chief executive of Admiral Taverns has said.

Public lacks faith in Gov's support for pubs

20-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

New research shows the majority of Brits have lost confidence in the Government to support the ailing pub sector, and more than half back the appointment of a hospitality minister.

Analysis

What does the pub sector want from the 3 March Budget?

20-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

With more than a month to wait until further support is announced, The Morning Advertiser (MA) asked hospitality sector stakeholders to run through their fiscal wish lists ahead of the Chancellor's next Budget.

Opinion

Insurance ruling prompts ‘rise of PPI type companies' offering claims review

19-Jan-2021 By Steven Swift, Sector Associates

Hospitality insurance specialist Steven Swift of Sector Associates gives his verdict on the Supreme Court’s recent business interruption ruling.

UKH: GDP dip highlights ‘economic importance of hospitality’

19-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has described recent GDP figures as “pretty depressing, if not surprising, reading”.

'Further injections of support' for pubs required

18-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The pub sector will require “further injections of support” to ensure its survival, a trade body head has said.

MA’s review of the week

‘We’re sitting here today with sites that have received zero money’

15-Jan-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Yummy Pubs founder Anthony Pender to reflect on the week's biggest headlines.

'Don't let a coffee cost a life' message considered by Government

15-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government is reportedly drafting hard-hitting adverts designed to make the public think twice before leaving home for a takeaway drink.

Festive freefall sees pub and bar takings plummet by more than 80%

15-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

The latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker has revealed the dire consequences of December’s Covid restrictions and enforced closures for hospitality sales.

Jobs round-up

Minister motion wins support, hospitality’s ethnicity pay gap revealed

14-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

The first jobs round-up of 2021 includes an update on the campaign for a dedicated hospitality minister, a new hire at Halewood, and the release of a data review examining the experiences of hospitality staff from different ethnic backgrounds.