Government

Payment and Cash Flow review: Gov

Gov 'understands pressure' on sector

By Rebecca Weller

The Government “understands the pressures on the hospitality sector”, a source has told the Morning Advertiser (MA).

Critically difficult economic climate: hospitality leaders call for urgent reslution to rail disputes ahead of sector's busiest trading period of the year (Credit: Getty/Image Source)

Sector calls for 'urgent resolution' to rail dispute

By Rebecca Weller

Trade bodies and leaders from across the sector have written to rail dispute representatives stressing the need for an “urgent resolution” ahead of the first “normal” festive trading period for three years.

Truly passionate: Kevin Hollinrake MP (pictured) appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business

BEIS MP 'passionate' about interests of SMEs

By Rebecca Weller

As Kevin Hollinrake MP was recently appointed as the new Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business (BEIS under-secretary), the Morning Advertiser takes a look at his career.

Cultural and economic benefits: a new report has urged the Government to recognise the importance of the late-night sector (Credit: Getty/urbazon)

Gov urged to recognise club culture importance

By Rebecca Weller

A new report commissioned by the Electronic Impact Group in coordination with the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA), B:electronic and the Association For Electronic Music (AFEM) has aimed to showcase the importance of electronic music and club...

Strike impact: 'Once again, the hospitality sector gets thrown under the bus just in time for Christmas,' says The MA's Ed Bedington

opinion

A strike too far?

By Ed Bedington

Given the chaos of the past few years and the challenges pub and bar operators face going forward, we can be forgiven for hoping to be allowed to enjoy a reasonable Christmas trade before the realities of the new year bite.

New rateable values: business rates to fall 17% for pubs but reductions do not go far enough according to Altus Group (Credit: Getty/John Lamb)

Business rates to fall by 17%

By Rebecca Weller

Business rates for pubs are set to fall by more than £247m under the 2023 revaluation of business properties, according to real estate advisers Altus Group.

Financial news: the Chancellor announced his Autumn Statement last week (image: Getty/SHansche)

‘Autumn Statement doesn’t go far enough’

By Nikkie Thatcher

The majority of pub operators do not think the Autumn Statement announced last week (Thursday 17 November) has gone far enough to help the sector, a flash poll has found.

What's in the news 18 July?

‘We’re the good guys’

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with North Brewing’s John Gyngell to get his take on the week that saw the Autumn Statement announced.

Autumn Statement: Chancellor announces extension to rates relief (Credit:Getty/mammuth)

AUTUMN STATEMENT 2022

Rates relief increased to 75%

By Rebecca Weller

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has today (Thursday 17 November) announced an almost £14bn business rates support package for SMEs including an extension to business rates relief, as part of the Autumn Statement.

Government announcement: Chancellor Hunt made his Autumn Statement in the House of Commons today (Thursday 17 November) (image: Getty/	Raylipscombe)

Autumn statement 2022

‘Energy prices crippling vital and viable businesses’

By Nikkie Thatcher

A number of trade bodies have reacted to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, which said there would be a “targeted approach” to help businesses with energy costs later in the year.

Autumn Statement fails pubs on VAT

Autumn Statement

Crumbs of comfort as VAT pleas ignored

By Ed Bedington

Well, we knew it was going to be grim, and any suggestion of support was going to be highly unlikely, but those who were hoping for VAT reform will have been left dismayed by the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.

Clarity and certainty: BBPA calls for relief ahead of Autumn Statement to help sector survive difficult winter (Credit: Getty/Shaun Taylor)

Pint becoming 'unaffordable luxury'

By Rebecca Weller

The cost-of-living crisis is leading consumers to see having a pint in their local pub as an “unaffordable luxury” the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has stated.

Autumn Budget: pubs and breweries call for the beer duty freeze to be reinstated, a reduction to VAT and a reformation of the business rates system (Credit: Getty/Deejpilot)

Business rates could cost sector extra £900m

By Rebecca Weller

Business rates bill could see a £900m hike for the sector if it were to increase in line with inflation as part of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Budget on Thursday (17 November).

What's in the news 11 November

Reasons to be optimistic

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Robinsons Brewery's William Robinson to discuss the economic outlook and grounds for optimism amid the challenges we're facing.

Lack of stability: NTIA claims UK is in recession as economy shrank in Q3 (Credit: Getty/atiatiati)

Trade body claims UK is 'in recession'

By Rebecca Weller

The UK is “in recession” as the sector continues to battle “onerous” rising costs, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.

Skyrocketing costs: sector leaders have called for more Government support to secure the future of British breweries (Credit: GettySusumu Yoshioka)

Breweries facing 'tsunami' of operating costs

By Rebecca Weller

Industry leaders have urged the Government to provide sector specific support to secure the future of British breweries as “skyrocketing” costs across the board cause a “perfect storm”.

The Morning Advertiser Lock In Podcast episode 49

The Lock In Podcast

Tackling the misery months

By Ed Bedington

With the tough trading months of January and February looming, the Lock In team discuss how operators can maximise the opportunities and create chances to boost trade with the help of a range of experts.

Huge tragedy: two nightclubs a close amid soaring inflation  (Credit: Getty/SolStock)

Gov 'ripping the heart out of nightlife'

By Rebecca Weller

The Government is “ripping the heart out of nightlife” with the number of nightclubs declining as businesses await the Chancellors budget that has already “failed them twice before”, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.

Further kick in the teeth: thousands of hospitality businesses at risk of closure following alcohol duty freeze U-turn (Credit: Getty/sturti)

Sector battling 'vicious inflationary circle'

By Rebecca Weller

Thousands of SME’s are at risk if new Prime Minister and Chancellor refuse to act regarding the rise to Alcohol Duty with many already facing “untenable” financial footing, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has claimed.

Desperate need of relief: sector petitions Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to fulfil his previous commitments (Credit: Getty/mammuth)

Sunak urged to fulfil previous commitments

By Rebecca Weller

Pubs and brewers in “desperate need of relief” as leaders from across the sector urge newly appointed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to recognise the importance of pubs and breweries before it’s “too late”.

What's in the news 21 October

‘The more you give back, the more they support you’

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with award winning operator Adrian Emmett of The Lion Treorchy to hear his take on the week's news which has seen yet another Prime Minister brought step down.

Far from conclusive: Stonegate intends to appeal outcome of court ruling in case against insurers MS Amlin (Credit: Getty/Bill Oxford)

Stonegate ruling sets 'dangerous precedent'

By Rebecca Weller

The outcome of pub company Stonegate’s legal battle against insurers MS Amlin, announced yesterday (Monday 17 October), sets a “dangerous precedent” and is “far from conclusive”.

Help needed: BII boss Steve Alton warns there will be 'huge business failure' if the Government doesn't intervene (image: Getty/Drazen_)

Pubs facing immediate survival threat

By Nikkie Thatcher

Government support is critical to safeguard the future of pubs and without it, the sector will see "huge business failure", according to one trade body, which has written to the Chancellor, demanding help.

Lack of leadership: Jeremy Hunt's first statement as Chancellor leaves the sector facing further uncertainty (Credit: Getty/PoppyPixels)

Gov statement 'compromises thousands of firms'

By Rebecca Weller

Leaders from across the sector have accused the Prime Minister and newly appointed Chancellor of crashing the economy while having no “strategic direction”, "critically compromising thousands of businesses and workers" and leaving the sector...

World Menopause Day 2022: awareness and support are essential to retain skilled workers (Credit: Getty/NickyLloyd)

Menopause awareness essential to retain staff

By Rebecca Weller

The hospitality sector must do more to recognise how menopause can impact staff before it loses more skilled workers, according to Irwin Mitchell Solicitors partner Jenny Arrowsmith.

Lost confidence: new chancellor must get up to speed with current policies to save time the sector does not have (Credit: Getty/PoppyPixels)

Gov 'all but lost confidence of the sector'

By Rebecca Weller

The Government must not delay the upcoming budget as it needs to take long-term look at what will “boost businesses and inspire confidence”, leaders from across the sector have stated.

What's in the new 14 October?

Review of the Week

‘We need someone who’s going to get in there quickly’

By Ed Bedington

As the Government starts to implode, the MA's Ed Bedington caught up with the Night Time Industries Association's Michael Kill to get his take on the sacking of the Chancellor and other industry issues

Stifling growth: despite three consecutive quarterly falls the number of job vacancies in the UK has remained at historically high levels (Credit: Getty/millann)

Unemployment levels 'stifling growth'

By Rebecca Weller

Hospitality sector's efforts to attract new employees are "beginning to pay off" but unemployment levels have continued to stifle the industry's "ability to drive growth” trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has stated.

The Morning Advertiser Lock In podcast episode 47

The Lock In Podcast

Will pubs get the support they need?

By Ed Bedington

The podcast team returns for season three of the award-winning (James's mum gave us a rosette) Lock In podcast and we get to grips with the challenges facing the sector.

Plague on everyone: potential blackouts this winter another crisis for sector to deal with (Credit: Getty/Imgorthand)

Blackouts 'could result in tremendous loss of stock'

By Rebecca Weller

Potential blackouts this winter would put pubs and breweries in a position they “will not be able to recover from” as some operators feel the Government has imposed a “war of attrition” against the sector.

Positive move: cutting the red tape surrounding regulations for medium-sized businesses was welcomed by UKHospitality (image: Getty/alexsl)

Scrapping of red tape ‘significant boost’

By Nikkie Thatcher

Releasing more businesses from reporting requirements and other regulations has been hailed as a “significant boost” for thousands of hospitality companies.

Tough comparative week: sales in the on premise were 1% behind 2021 levels in the seven days to Saturday 17 September (Credit: Getty/monkeybusinessimages)

Drinks sales 1% behind v 2021

By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in the seven days to Saturday 17 September were 1% behind compared to the same week last year, the latest CGA by NielsenIQ’s Drinks Recovery Tracker has shown.

Won't make a difference: licensee of the Faulkland Inn (pictured) claimed the Government is neglecting SMEs in favour of the 'big boys' of the industry

Gov looking out for ‘big boys’ of the industry

By Rebecca Weller

Last week’s announcements on energy discounts and measures addressed in the mini Budget did not have “any effect” on small businesses but made sure the “big boys” of the industry did “very nicely”, according to a Somerset-based operator.

What's in the news 23 September?

Review of the Week

Reasons for optimism?

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington spoke with trade association bosses Kate Nicholls of UKHospitality and the BII's Steve Alton to get their take on the mini-budget and whether there was any grounds for optimism.

Opinion piece: pubs and bars are once again going to be left dangling while the MPs pat themselves on the back and head off for a few weeks jollies by the seaside,' says The MA's Ed Bedington

opinion

Missed opportunities leaves pubs swinging

By Ed Bedington

Those that were desperately hoping for some kind of support or helping hand from the Chancellor’s mini-budget have been left bitterly disappointed.

Energy Relief Scheme: discount to be applied directly onto bills (Credit: Getty/Constantine Johnny)

How pubs can access Energy Relief Scheme

By Rebecca Weller

With support for businesses in tackling energy costs announced earlier this week, the Morning Advertiser has broken down exactly what this means for pubs and how to access the Energy Relief Scheme, as well as a handy calculator to estimate how much you...