Government

BBPA warns 2,000 pubs at risk of closure

01-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Some two-thousand pubs could close without a "plan for sustainable growth" in the Chancellor's Spring Budget later this month, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has stated.

Firms ‘duped’ into signing ‘inflated’ energy contracts

27-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government needs to tell energy suppliers to “stop being greedy” and allow businesses to renegotiate contracts after being “duped” into agreeing to “inflated” prices, according to one West Yorkshire-based operator.

Gov calls for views to help improve business rates

23-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government has called on firms that receive a business rates bill to take part in research to help improve the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) service.

Pint price up 8p in 3 months

23-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The average cost of a pint of draught lager increased by 1.9% in the three months to January 2023, the latest data from the Office For National Statistics (ONS) has revealed.

Tackling root cause of inflation 'critical' in Spring Budget

22-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Tackling the root causes of inflation in the upcoming Budget is “critical” to enable the sector to return to “driving economic growth” after “surprise surplus” in Government finances.

Food shortages and supply issues becoming 'normality'

22-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Supply chain issues have “sadly” become “normality” for the hospitality sector as the UK could reportedly face further threats to a variety of vegetables this year.

Energy suppliers pushing firms to 'point of no return'

21-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

A Top 50 Cocktail Bars site was left with no choice but to close after the “demoralising” actions of its energy supplier.

Recruitment landscape remains 'challenging'

15-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Hospitality businesses are continuing to face an “incredibly challenging” recruitment landscape with vacancies in the sector still 72% higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to trade body UKHospitality (UKH).

Sector 'cannot afford' more 'economic pain' from rail strikes

13-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport’s (RMT) rejection of new pay offers “so frustrating” for “embattled” hospitality, UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has stated.

Diversification will be key to success

10-Feb-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with BII CEO Steve Alton to get his take on the week's news and where the sector is heading in the year ahead.

Sector welcomes Gov reshuffle

09-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The hospitality sector has welcomed the creation of a new Government department to focus on energy security.

Sector needs 'much more' info on CBDC

07-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government needs to share “much more information” about how central-bank digital currency (CBDC) will impact the hospitality sector, according to one Suffolk based operator.

‘Hospitality can help reduce inflation’

06-Feb-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

UKHospitality (UKH) has highlighted how the sector can help reduce inflation and deliver growth if given the right support on energy.

Opinion

January trade - win or loss?

06-Feb-2023 By Ed Bedington

Against a backdrop of rocketing price rises, rampant inflation, and closures and sales, it’s been interesting being on the road for the Publican Awards judging this week.

Rising interest rates not 'all doom and gloom'

03-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Interest rate increases are not all “doom and gloom” for the hospitality sector however it is important the Chancellor takes the added “pressure” into account in the upcoming Spring Budget.

Pub closures should be 'urgent wake up call' for Gov

02-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Some 21 pubs a week closed or lost their licenses between July and December last year, new figures from the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) have revealed.

Sector won't survive 'further austerity or crises'

02-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government cannot “ignore the growing frustration and anger” of industrial action “hammering” businesses across the UK, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.

Opinion

Financial burdens leave no room for growth

02-Feb-2023 By Emma Harrison

For the last few years, it feels like the hospitality sector has been thwarted in every direction, no matter how efficiently we run our businesses, and operating a pub/restaurant with rooms has never been harder.

1 in 3 pubs reducing opening days to mitigate energy costs

01-Feb-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

A third of businesses are cutting trading days as a result of the spiralling energy bills, according to trade body research.

Gov ‘needs to invest in sector or lose pubs forever’

01-Feb-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government has been warned to deliver a plan for sustainable growth for pubs and breweries or risk losing them.

New survey shows 'devastation' of soaring energy costs

01-Feb-2023 By Rebecca Weller

New collaborative research from trade bodies across the sector demonstrates the extent of “devastation” caused by energy costs.

Sector can provide 'rapid economic growth' with right support

31-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Recent economic growth predictions are a “frustrating reflection” of the challenges that lie ahead while the hospitality sector remains “hamstrung” by pandemic loans, trade body UKHopsitality (UKH) has stated.

Survey reveals Xmas trade down for 50% of SLTA members

31-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Almost half (45%) of operators are facing energy cost increases of more than 250%, a snapshot survey from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has revealed.

Gov should see sector as 'key driver' in economic growth

30-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government should remember established industries like hospitality are “key drivers” and play a “significant role” in economic growth, according to trade bodies from across the sector.

86% of staff likely to leave job if no wellbeing help

26-Jan-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Most employees were likely to leave a role that didn’t support their wellbeing, new insight has revealed.

Gov support 'important' to reduce inflation

25-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Current levels of food inflation “underline the importance” of Government investment in the hospitality sector, trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has stated.

NTIA claims energy firms 'withholding' money

25-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has claimed energy companies have been withholding money and subsidy benefit from the Energy Bill Relief Scheme as well as excluding certain businesses from energy supply.

DRS causes 'significant barriers to trade'

23-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Trade bodies from across the sector “support” the initiative behind Deposit Recycling Schemes (DRS) but proposed plans place “unnecessary complexity and costs” on small businesses.

Hospitality most cyber-secure industry in the UK

17-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Food and hospitality businesses are the most cyber-secure in the UK, figures from Scams.info has revealed.

'Financial incentives' needed to hit net zero goals

16-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The hospitality sector needs additional “financial incentives” from the Government to aid its ability to deliver on net zero ambitions, leaders from across the industry have stated.

Surge in pub trade boosts economy

13-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

An increase in spending at hospitality settings helped the economy grow in November, the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed.

Black Sheep Brewery boss: energy support is 'brutal'

11-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government’s new energy support package is “brutal”, according to Black Sheep Brewery chief executive Charlene Lyons.

Sector 'disappointed' by energy update

10-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Trade bodies across the sector have expressed “disappointment” with the “out of touch” Government’s decision to reduce energy support for businesses.

Gov slashes energy support by 70%

09-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has confirmed a reduction to energy support for businesses from Saturday 1 April.

APPG calls for evidence on energy crisis impact

06-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Food and Drink Supply Chain All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has called for food and drink businesses to provide information on how rocketing energy costs have impacted trade ahead of a meeting with food minister Mark Spencer.

EBRS update to be announced next week

05-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The conclusion of the review into the future of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses will be announced next week, the Treasury has confirmed.

Sector can't wait for 'misguided promises'

05-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The hospitality sector cannot continue to wait for “empty words” and “misguided promises” of future prosperity from the Government, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.

Energy support could be halved

04-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The hospitality sector needs a “clear” and “defined” strategy regarding energy support before “businesses fall at the last hurdle”, according to leaders from across the industry.

50% of firms at risk in early 2023

04-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

More than 50% of businesses do not have the necessary cash reserves to survive the early part of 2023, a flash poll conducted by the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has revealed.

32 pubs a month disappear in 2022

23-Dec-2022 By Rebecca Weller

More than 32 pubs a month disappeared in England and Wales during 2022, latest data has revealed.

'Different world' forces pub to axe hours

23-Dec-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Rocketing food and energy costs on top of staff shortages have forced a Warwickshire based pub to reduce its trading hours and food service.

Energy support delay 'disappointing news'

21-Dec-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The delay to an announcement on extended energy support for businesses is “disappointing” and leaves many facing “crippling” bills as well as an uncertain start to 2023, according to leaders from across the sector.

Alcohol duty freeze extended

20-Dec-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Duty rates on alcohol have been frozen for six months to 1 August 2023, the Government has announced.

Gov considers extra hours for coronation celebration

19-Dec-2022 By Ed Bedington

The King’s Coronation celebrations could see pubs being given the chance to extend opening hours, Government ministers have proposed.

The Lock In Podcast

Looking ahead to 2023

19-Dec-2022 By Ed Bedington

In the last episode of the year, the Lock In team assemble a crack team of guests to assess what the year ahead is likely to hold for the pub trade.

Fastest hike in night out cost in 30 years

19-Dec-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pubgoers are facing the fastest rise in the cost of a night out in more than three decades, one organisation has said.

Review of the Week

'I'm going to call it out for what it is - it's profiteering'

16-Dec-2022 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington met up with celebrity pub operator Merlin Griffiths, of Greenhouse Pubs, to hear his thoughts on the week's news and his view on the utilities situation.

Sector needs 'urgent clarity' to 'bounce back'

14-Dec-2022 By Rebecca Weller

As mounting costs in the hospitality sector make the largest upward contribution to inflation, the sector needs “urgent clarity” from the Government on measures to help businesses “bounce back” in 2023.

Gov 'losing control' over rail strikes

13-Dec-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The Government has “lost control” of “escalating” strike action as the hospitality sector continues to be “critically impacted”, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.

Energy suppliers 'profiteering' from pubs

09-Dec-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Energy suppliers are using the hospitality industry as “piggy banks” and “profiteering” from the ongoing energy crisis, according to one Chester-based operator.