Gastropub

Energy crisis: Chancellor refuses meeting with struggling operator

31-Aug-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A leading operator has been refused a meeting with the chancellor of the exchequer after writing to him expressing concerns with skyrocketing energy bills.

How to make your plant-based menu stand out

24-Aug-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Award-winning chefs have shared their top tips for creating a vegetarian and vegan menu, after research revealed almost half of UK adults were considering cutting down their intake of animal products.

Halo effect: How Michael Wignall breathed new life into the UK’s first gastropub

24-Aug-2022 By Joe Lutrario, Restaurant

Yorkshire’s The Angel at Hetton is ascending once again thanks to its chef patron’s (relatively) down-to-earth approach and unquestionable skill in the kitchen.

Firms push up menu prices by 9%

17-Aug-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Business leaders have increased prices by 9% on average over the past 12 months with plans to hike them by a further 6% in the next year, research has found.

Opinion

'Things can only get better'

15-Aug-2022 By Brendan Padfield, owner, the Unruly Pig, Bromeswell, Suffolk

I am old enough to remember when Tony Blair first got elected and particularly the Labour Party’s then electoral anthem “things can only get better “.

Lord: crisis is more damaging than covid

09-Aug-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord has demanded the Government return to parliament to intervene in the economic issues that are “more damaging than Covid”.

Review of the Week

Tom Kerridge: It's a very bumpy road ahead

05-Aug-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

With inflation dominating the headlines, celebrity chef and pub operator Tom Kerridge has his say on this week's news with The Morning Advertiser's Nikkie Thatcher.

Seeking best pub that celebrates black, Asian and ethnic talent

05-Aug-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Entries have opened in a bid to find the best pub or bar of the year that celebrates black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds within the hospitality sector.

free pdf download

Let spirits and wine do the work for you

28-Jul-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Spirits and wine sales at pubs are making a massive comeback – so you could be missing a trick if you don’t make sure your offer includes these favourites.

UK salmon stocks reach unsustainable level

26-Jul-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Wild Atlantic salmon stocks in the UK are reaching crisis point the Environment Agency (EA) said yesterday (Monday 25 July).

Average pub dish price up 2.3%

22-Jul-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

The average cost of a dish on a pub and bar menu has risen by 2.3%, according to data from Lumina Intelligence.

Mark Hix to close his Dorset pub the Fox Inn

13-Jul-2022 By Restaurant

Mark Hix is to close the Dorset pub he took on just a year and a half ago citing rising costs and staffing challenges as the reason.

Pubs warned ‘dairy isn’t cheap any more’

11-Jul-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Amid reports of a potential dairy shortage, on-trade operators have been urged to shop around when purchasing and make sure they make the most of such goods to ensure their spend is not wasted.

Spend and penetration flat in eating-out market

07-Jul-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Customer spending and penetration in the hospitality sector is flat, according to the latest data from Lumina Intelligence Eating & Drinking Out Panel.

How can pubs tackle ongoing rising food costs?

29-Jun-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Focusing on detail and a disciplined approach to buying can help operators battle against ongoing rising costs, one buying specialist has advised.

Upcoming Stonegate Covid insurance court case examined

29-Jun-2022 By Bill Dunkerley, regulatory lawyer at law firm Pannone Corporate

Stonegate Pub Company is due to have a case heard within the next month at the High Court regarding a claim against its business interruption insurers over losses incurred as a result of restrictions imposed in response to Covid-19.

New food standards report warns of challenges ahead

28-Jun-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

An assessment into food standards across the nation has warned of challenges ahead to maintain levels.

Gastropub celebs launch employee exchange programme

20-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

Gastropub chefs Paul Ainsworth and Tommy Banks have launched an employee exchange programme, enabling teams to swap companies for a week and experience the workings of another business.

Rail strikes will cost hospitality sector £540m

20-Jun-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Planned rail strikes this week will cost the hospitality sector £540m, according to UKHospitality.

Weather dampens weekend but footfall high

20-Jun-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Trade at pubs during the Father’s Day weekend was good despite predictions for blistering sunshine quickly turning into a damp squib, particularly on Saturday, for many across the UK.

Pubs can win custom from restaurants

20-Jun-2022 By Ed Sibley, commercial director, Lumina Intelligence

Consumers are concerned. Whether you are already feeling the pinch or know it’s coming round the corner, the vast majority of the UK are looking to cut back.

How do off-trade sales work post-Covid?

17-Jun-2022 By Poppleston Allen, licensing solicitors

Operators may recall that in July 2020, the Government passed legislation through the Business & Planning Act 2020 that provided a relaxation for those premises that did not have the benefit of off-sales provision on their premises licence.

Slow recovery for pubs as eating-out market set to rise in value

16-Jun-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Pubs, restaurants and hotels are set to see value growth of 2.8% versus 2019 in the eating-out market but this will be the slowest sector to recover, according to Lumina Intelligence UK Eating Out Market Report 2022.

7 of top 100 UK restaurants are pubs

14-Jun-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Under a tenth of the UK’s best restaurants are pubs, according to the Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards 2022.

Two from pub sector celebrated in Chefs’ Chef Awards

09-Jun-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pub chefs Michael Wignall, the Angel at Hetton, north Yorkshire and Paul Ainsworth of the Mariners, Rock, and other Cornish venues, feature in this year’s AA Chefs’ Chef Award shortlist.

Being a bartender ‘coolest job in the world’

07-Jun-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Blue Boar in Westminster, central London manager George Dean believed valuing staff, creative strategy and making hospitality fun again was key to overcoming challenges in the sector, after his pub was dubbed the ‘One to Watch’ at the 2022 Top 50...

Platinum Jubilee weekend: How are pubs celebrating?

31-May-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

With licenced premises permitted to open for two hours extra across the Platinum Jubilee weekend, pubs are pulling out all the stops with events ranging from beer festivals to art exhibitions, Rolls Royce rides to BBQs, and afternoon teas to fancy dress...

Coronation chicken and Jersey royals: Pubs curate new menus for Platinum Jubilee

31-May-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Gastropubs have tapped into their patriotism for the Platinum Jubilee, which is forecasted to boost the sector by £76m, with chefs curating exclusive Royal-inspired menus to mark the occasion.

Pubs and bars look to premiumisation to navigate higher prices

30-May-2022 By Katie Prowse, senior insight manager at Lumina Intelligence

Insights expert GFK announced last week that consumer confidence had hit minus 40 – the lowest figure since records began some 40 years ago.

Couple take on Shep Neame pub on weekend first baby is born

25-May-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A couple who took on their first pub, the Bucks Head in Godden Green, Sevenoaks last week (Friday 20 May), celebrated the birth of their first child the very next day.

Call to Arms from pub chefs in Kent

25-May-2022 By James McAllister

Chefs Dan and Natasha Smith have overcome a pandemic and the ire of locals to establish a mini empire of Michelin-starred pubs in rural Kent

Oldest pub in Aylesford remains closed following fire

25-May-2022 By Rebecca Weller

A pub claiming to be the oldest in Aylesford has remained closed after a fire engulfed the building in the early hours of Sunday (22 May) morning.

Simon Bonwick sells the Crown to Dominic Chapman

24-May-2022 By Joe Lutrario

Chef Simon Bonwick and his family have sold their Michelin-starred Berkshire pub-restaurant the Crown to the Beehive chef Dominic Chapman.

Soaring cooking oil prices spark ‘consternation and exasperation’ among operators

23-May-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Staggering cooking oil prices have sparked “consternation and exasperation” among operators, who despite testing out filtration methods and cheaper substitutes, have taken a financial hit.

Cheaper cuts and smaller portions: what gastropubs are doing to tackle inflation

20-May-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Gastropub operators are swapping meat and fish for cheaper cuts, cutting down on portion sizes and negotiating with suppliers in a bid to combat rising cost pressures while keeping customers coming.

Pub reveals throne made from carvery ingredients for Platinum Jubilee

18-May-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Farmhouse Inns pub the Bramley Farm, West Timperly, has today (Tuesday 17 May) unveiled a royal throne, made from carvery ingredients ahead of the Platinum Jubilee.

£50k salaries, £1 B&B stays and birthday treats: how pubs are trying to draw in chefs

16-May-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Holidays worth £2,000, birthdays off and salaries of up to £50,000 are just a few of the promises pubs are making to attract chefs and combat the industry’s mounting recruitment crisis.

Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards launches Food Lovers Award

11-May-2022 By Restaurant

The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards has announced a new award for the 2022 ceremony.

The Star at Harome will reopen this autumn after fire

06-May-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub the Star at Harome will reopen in late autumn after the North Yorkshire venue was ‘reduced to ashes’ in a fire last November.

FREE PDF download

Boost your cider offer with this free PDF

06-May-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Summer is on its way and what could be better than have a packed pub and, in particular, a packed beer garden to boost your bottom line?

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Bedfordshire pubs back in business, bars open doors, operator sought for haunted pub

05-May-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Two Bedfordshire-based pubs are back in business after investments and revamps, new bars open across the country and Greene King is seeking an operator brave enough to man a haunted venue.

Licensees celebrate 43 years behind the bar

04-May-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Licensees of the Anchor in Sevenoaks, Kent, have celebrated their 43rd anniversary behind the bar as they opt to sign another 10-year contract with pubco Admiral Taverns.

Imports of Russian caviar banned under new UK sanctions

25-Apr-2022 By James McAllister, Restaurant

The UK Government has banned the import of Russian caviar under new trade sanctions announced in response to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

‘Food inflation constitutes existential threat to many firms’

12-Apr-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Foodservice inflation hit 10.2% in February fuelled by a myriad of challenges, according to recent data.

The Cask Project

MA launches The Cask Project to save beer category

04-Apr-2022 By The Morning Advertiser

A campaign to re-energise cask beer has been launched to reinstall it in pride of place on the bar of pubs throughout the country.

Top 50 Gastropub the Moorcock Inn set to close early next year

31-Mar-2022 By James McAllister

The owners of the popular The Moorcock Inn in Norland, West Yorkshire, have announced they will close the business in January 2023, five years after taking it over.

‘Food prices to remain high for at least the rest of 2022’

25-Mar-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Operators have been warned the impact of the Ukraine crisis is a long-term threat to food prices.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Pubs across the country up for sale, Young's reopens venue

22-Mar-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Plenty of pubs from around the country have been put on the market this week, while Young's has reopened the Spread Eagle pub with bedrooms and office space.

Food trends feature

FEATURE: What’s hot in food trends?

21-Mar-2022 By Gary Lloyd

Most of us would like to see the end of the colder months as we, hopefully, usher in the post-peak-Covid world.

The Lock In Podcast

Upping your game on food

17-Mar-2022 By Ed Bedington

This week’s episode is brought to you from the number one Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub the Unruly Pig in Bromeswell, Suffolk and includes licensee Brendan Padfield alongside rising chef star Ruth Hansom of the Princess of Shoreditch and Big Smoke co-founder...