European Union

Research

Research: Majority of pub staff are female

23-Sep-2016 By Oli Gross

More than half of pub staff are female, and there are 1,380 more breweries than there were in 2010, according to latest figures published by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Benchmarking report

Report: Operating costs up as payroll expenses undermine industry growth

21-Sep-2016 By Oli Gross

Rising operating costs, particularly payroll, threaten to undermine the growth the pub industry, according to the ALMR Christie & Co Benchmarking Report 2016.

Event

New SIBA conference to follow BeerX in 2017

24-Aug-2016 By James Evison

A new event from The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), dubbed 'Beer Now' and an evolution of the European beer bloggers and writers conference, will immediately follow BeerX in Sheffield next year.

Legislation

"On nanny state issues, she is surprisingly sound" - IEA's Snowdon on Theresa May

15-Jul-2016 By Christopher Snowdon

What does the anointment of Theresa May as Prime Minister mean for pubs? Her record is a mixed bag.

EU Referendum

Brexit fears: the end of locally sourced food?

11-Jul-2016 By Oli Gross

Licensees have expressed fears that Brexit will cause increased prices of locally sourced food and cause drastic staffing problems in pubs.

EU Referendum

Licensee threatened over EU flag

27-Jun-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

A licensee has been threatened over an EU flag which was up in the beer garden of the pub. 

EU REFERENDUM

Pub industry figures throw weight behind #Remain campaign in letter to The Times

23-Jun-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

High-profile figures from the pub trade have signed a letter to The Times newspaper alongside figures from across the hospitality industry in support of Britain remaining in the European Union.

EU Referendum

It's Brexit: Pub trade calls time on EU

21-Jun-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Pub industry professionals are in favour of 'Brexit', according to an online poll by the Publican’s Morning Advertiser.

The Pub Conference

Tim Martin on JDW pubs: "It can go wrong in a flash"

20-Jun-2016 By Oli Gross

Tim Martin has insisted that JD Wetherspoon is not a brand and stressed that its position on the high street continues to evolve.

Video: watch the highlights from the latest PMA500 in Soho

14-Jun-2016 By Emily Sutherland

Operators at the latest PMA500 in Soho heard from industry experts about the potential impact of Britain leaving the European Union on the sector, how pubs can do more to tap in the lucrative family market and how can manage high rents in competitive...

Brexit

PMA licensee poll: Brexit or Bremain?

14-Jun-2016 By Mike Berry

In just over a week the electorate of the United Kingdom will make its biggest decision in modern political history - to stay in the EU or leave.

City news

City digest: Peach Pubs, Fuller's and the NWTC deal

10-Jun-2016 By James Evison

This week's city news digest from sister title MCA includes stories on Peach Pubs, Fuller's and the NWTC/Graphite Capital deal

European Commission approves AB InBev's SABMiller takeover

25-May-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

EU regulators have given the green light to AB Inbev's takeover of SABMiller, making AB Inbev the world's largest brewer.

Europe: the debate so far

20-May-2016 By Emily Sutherland

Operators will have the chance to make known their views on Britain’s potential exit from the European Union at next week’s PMA500 event, where Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Kate Nicholls will chair a debate on Brexit. In...

Brexit might not led to less red tape for trade, licensing expert warns

19-May-2016 By Oli Gross

Leading licensing solicitor Robert Sutherland has warned that leaving the European Union might not cut down on the amount of red tape and bureaucracy facing the UK pub sector.

Tim Martin: 'Remain' campaign shows contempt for British public

17-May-2016 By Tim Martin

In my message below, I have tried to deal with the main points which have been raised by both sides in the great national debate about the EU. One point which has not been challenged by the IMF, the OECD, the Treasury, Goldman Sachs or any of the other...

Brexit could put thriving gin industry at risk, treasury warned

12-May-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

The UK would be putting its currently booming gin industry at risk if it left the EU, industry leaders have warned the government. 

Editorial

Pubcos must honour original review dates

12-May-2016 By Ed Bedington

There’s been more twists and turns to the introduction of the pubs code than in an Agatha Christie novel.

EU Referendum

Brexit: Small pub operators among those in favour of leaving EU

09-May-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

More in the hospitality industry (39%) would choose to leave the EU than remain (37%) – and the number is even higher for small businesses owners, including pubs - according to a new survey.

ALMR calls on pub chefs to represent sector

25-Apr-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

The ALMR has called on UK pub chefs to represent the trade for the upcoming Great British Food Fortnight in September. 

EU referendum

Heading for the Brexit: How leaving the EU will impact pubs

19-Apr-2016 By Adam Bernstein

Adam Bernstein takes a look at some of the key areas that will affect the pub sector following the British public vote to leave the European Union, and how a rejection of the continent could shape the landscape for pub operators in years to come.

EU Referendum

Cameron: 'a stronger alcohol industry lies within the EU'

24-Mar-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Britain's alcohol industry will be safer and stronger if the UK votes to stay in the European Union (EU), Prime Minister David Cameron has promised ahead of the referendum later this year.

Research

Eating-out sector in vital need of innovation, warns analyst

23-Mar-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

The eating-out sector is in vital need of fresh ideas and innovation in the face of economic uncertainty throughout 2016, a leading analyst has urged.

EU referendum

Licensees talk Brexit: "If we leave I'll put on free beer for a day"

11-Mar-2016 By Oli Gross

The Publican’s Morning Advertiser asked licensees what impact Britain leaving the EU could have on their businesses.

EU REFERENDUM

Brexit staffing worries: eating-out businesses must invest in people

10-Mar-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

Pub and restaurant operators need to invest in their current staff to weather recruitment issues Britain leaving the EU could potentially cause, a leading hospitality analyst has warned.

EU referendum

Staffing fears encourage "two thirds" to oppose Brexit

09-Mar-2016 By Oli Gross

Operators are fearful that Britain voting to leave the EU could lead to staff shortages for pubs which are reliant on migrant workers.

CHEF SHORTAGE

Brexit could make chef recruitment woes even worse

04-Mar-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

A British exit from the European Union could further exacerbate the shortage of skilled chefs faced by the country’s hospitality industry, a leading recruiter has warned.

Tim Martin: We need real debate on leaving the EU

24-Feb-2016 By Tim Martin

This is an unedited comment from Tim Martin, which is due to appear in the Wetherspoons magazine 

Minimum unit pricing plans halted by European law

23-Dec-2015 By Jessica Mason

The campaign to bring in minimum unit pricing (MUP) on alcohol has suffered a blow after EU judges ruled the Scottish government's plans to introduce such a scheme is contrary to European law.

Beer stats

UK beer tax 14 times higher than German rate

24-Sep-2015 By Oli Gross

UK beer tax rates are still among the highest at 14 times the German rate, as revealed today in a British Beer and Pub Association report.

Bitter blow for Scottish minimum unit pricing plans

03-Sep-2015 By Minimum pricing

The Scottish Government’s plans to introduce minimum pricing have suffered a bitter blow after the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice said the move infringed EU rules on free trade.

Campaign

High-strength beer ban labelled 'contagious' amid fears it could spread to pubs

13-Jul-2015 By Oli Gross

A scheme to prevent the sale of high-percentage beers could be ‘contagious’ and spread to pubs, according to the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

European Commission: Alcohol policy to remain with governments

26-Jun-2015 By Michelle Perrett

The European Commission has confirmed that public health and alcohol policies remain the responsibility of national governments.

Councils able to charge for enforcing sexual entertainment licences

30-Apr-2015 By Michelle Perrett

Councils have been given the green light to charge fees for the enforcement and administration of Sexual Entertainment Venue Licences.  

US craft beer exports boom

19-Mar-2015 By Mike Berry

US craft beer exports in 2014 rocketed by 35.7%, with the UK the third fastest-growing market, according to new figures.

Diageo to provide calories and alcohol content per typical serve

19-Mar-2015 By Robyn Black

Smirnoff vodka and Guinness beer owner, Diageo, will become the first drinks company to provide drinkers with information on both nutritional information and alcohol content per typical serve, it announced today (19 March 2015).

Irish government announces alcohol minimum pricing plan

04-Feb-2015 By Mike Berry

Ireland is set to introduce alcohol minimum pricing after its government signed off proposals included in a new public health bill.

Countryside alliance backs MEPs' calls for detailed processed meat labeling

27-Jan-2015 By Daniel Woolfson

The Countryside Alliance has welcomed MEPs’ calls for country of origin labeling for meat as an ingredient in processed foods made on Wednesday 21 January.

Prosecco makers attack pubs and wine bars

08-Jan-2015 By James Wallin

Italian makers of Prosecco are threatening to fine UK pubs and bars up to 20,000 euros for selling the sparkling wine on tap instead of by the bottle, The Telegraph reports.

A 2% cut in duty is not 'asking for the world,' says WSTA chief

18-Sep-2014 By Robyn Black

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is reaching out to pubs and bars to help achieve a 2% cut in duty in the next budget.

Multiple operators may miss out on business rate relief

25-Jun-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

European legislative restrictions could mean multiple operators missing out on receiving the business rate relief they were promised if they have already been given other aid.

Pubs face bill for environmental health inspections

01-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Pubs may have to pay hundreds of pounds a year for environmental health inspections under an EU proposal that businesses foot the bill rather than local councils.

Scotland's minimum pricing plan referred to European court

30-Apr-2014 By James Wallin

The Scottish Government’s plan to introduce a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol has been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

FSA confirms new round of horsemeat testing

21-Apr-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

Pubs can expect a greater level of traceability over their meat supply after the Food Standards Agency (FSA) confirmed details of a new round of tests of beef products for horsemeat contamination.

Scotch Whisky Association unveils new chief executive

02-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced that David Frost, a former senior official at the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills, has replaced Gavin Hewitt as chief executive.

Scottish Professional Football League loses appeal over pubco screening foreign satellite broadcasts

18-Nov-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

A Scottish pub company has resisted an appeal brought against it by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), a case that could impact on English pubs that have been asked not to use foreign satellite systems.

Pub food allergy information deadline approaches

24-Oct-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Pubs will have to provide allergy information on all food sold unpackaged, new legislation from the European Commission has stipulated.

Scotch Whisky Association appoints new chief executive

16-Sep-2013 By Michelle Perrett

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has appointed a new chief executive.

Annual premises licence fees: some good news

27-Jun-2013 By Poppleston Allen

Some good news for a change — a recent decision by the Court of Appeal may result in reduced annual premises licence fees.

Scottish legal challenge to alcohol minimum pricing fails

03-May-2013 By John Harrington

A legal challenge against minimum pricing of alcohol in Scotland has failed.