Government

Sector needs stability from Downing Street

08-Jul-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Whoever is at 10 Downing Street, the hospitality sector needs consistent and stable, strategic plans to accelerate economic growth, according to industry leaders and licensees across the sector.

Who do you want as the next PM?

08-Jul-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

With a new leader of the Conservative party set to be appointed, we want to know who you'd prefer to be the next Prime Minister.

The Lock In Podcast

Lock In season finale - coping with what lies ahead

07-Jul-2022 By Ed Bedington

The second season of the Lock In podcast draws to a close as the team take a look at what lies ahead for the pub sector and seek some expert advice to allow operators to prepare.

Staff 'nowhere to go' as Gov hangs pubs 'out to dry'

07-Jul-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The Government has hung pubs “out to dry” by allowing soaring increases to energy costs according to one Somerset-based licensee.

6 things you need to know about the NIC threshold change

06-Jul-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

As the change to national insurance contributions (NICs) is implemented from today (Wednesday 6 July), The Morning Advertiser takes a look at what this means for those in the pub sector.

Number of pubs in England & Wales reaches record low

04-Jul-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The number of English and Welsh pubs fell below 40,000 for the first time during the first half of 2022, having fallen by 7,107 in the past 10 years, new research from real estate adviser Altus Group has revealed.

London Mayor unveils £2m phase of tourism campaign

04-Jul-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced the latest addition to his tourism campaign, to encourage people across the UK to visit the capital.

Proposed VAT cut ‘would be significant and positive step’

01-Jul-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

A reported slashing of VAT has been hailed as a “significant and positive step” by the leader of one trade body.

The MA's Review of the Week

'Tax relief can help hospitality businesses to reinvest'

01-Jul-2022 By Ed Bedington

Owner of the Veeno wine bar business, Rodrigue Trouillet shared his thoughts on the weeks news with the MA's Ed Bedington, from tax relief to the ongoing recruitment challenges.

Gov discount scheme poses 'slippery slope' for sector

29-Jun-2022 By Rebecca Weller

A proposed Government campaign encouraging businesses to offer discounts to consumers without any financial backing poses a “slippery slope” amid demising margins, according to one Canterbury-based licensee.

Operator calls on MPs to help sector amid soaring energy costs

22-Jun-2022 By Rebecca Weller

A Canterbury based operator has written to local MPs in desperation as his pubs utility bills face an increase of some £60,000, stating many hospitality businesses are already in survival mode.

The Lock In Podcast

The ongoing impact of the Pubs Code...

22-Jun-2022 By Ed Bedington

The Lock In team take a look back at the Pubs Code and the impact of MRO - how has the legislation reshaped the UK pub market for the better or worse, and what does the future hold?

Food Strategy White Paper 'timely and welcome'

14-Jun-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The Government’s Food Strategy White Paper, announced yesterday (Monday 13 June), has been hailed as “both timely and welcome” by industry trade body UKHospitality (UKH).

Lending to hospitality drops by £1.4bn

13-Jun-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Bank lending to small and medium hospitality firms after the end of coronavirus loan schemes has fallen by more than £1.4bn to £14.61bn in April 2022.

Proposal to ban smoking in beer gardens put forward

10-Jun-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Smoking in hospitality outdoor areas alongside other external spaces should be banned, according to recommendations by an independent review.

What is the reason for the crown mark on pint glasses?

08-Jun-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government recently revealed guidance to help businesses apply the crown symbol to pint glasses and as a result, The Morning Advertiser has delved into the history of the mark.

Industry facing 'two years of hell'

08-Jun-2022 By Ed Bedington

The industry is facing “two years of hell” and needs to “batten down the hatches and probably pray” according to one leading sector investor.

"We've been here before"

27-May-2022 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington catches up with Kuckoo's Rich Powell for his take on the current headlines, from rising costs and brewery sales through to continued confidence and business expansion.

'Fortunes of the sector hang in the balance': dismay at Chancellor's energy statement

26-May-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Government must act now to help businesses experiencing an “acutely painful” time as the Chancellor's statement yesterday (Thursday 26 May) "left the fortunes of the hospitality sector hanging in the balance", according to the Beer and...

Gov must take decisive action to provide relief for sector

26-May-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Government must take decisive action in introducing relief, such as a reduction of VAT, for the hospitality sector following the exposure of its actions during lockdown, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.

Domestic energy price cap increase will 'adversely affect pubs'

25-May-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Further increases to the energy price cap will adversely affect pubs with operators feeling the Government has turned a “deaf ear to the industry” as consumers are left with less disposable income.

UKH report highlights how the sector can aid levelling up

23-May-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has announced the release of its latest report, Level Up Hospitality – Level Up Society, highlighting how the sector is uniquely positioned to deliver growth and opportunity across the country.

UKH and BBPA call for online sales tax

20-May-2022 By Rebecca Weller

UKHospitality (UKH) and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) have shown support for the Government’s proposed online sales tax but warned the sector must be given due consideration to level the playing field and avoid double-taxation.

Levelling up cash saves pubs

20-May-2022 By Ed Bedington

A Herefordshire pub is being rescued and handed back to the community as part of a £2.2m “levelling up” initiative by the Government.

Are we victims of our own tenacity?

20-May-2022 By Ed Bedington

The pub sector has always been something of a survivor, adapting and rolling with the punches thrown at it, but are we now finding ourselves the victims of our own tenacity?

The Lock In Podcast

Can pubs be better employers?

19-May-2022 By Ed Bedington

With staffing challenges continuing to cause headaches for pub operators, the Lock In team tackle some of the issues that are causing the sector problems and have a bit of discussion about baldness discrimination...

UKH summer conference to take place in June

12-May-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Hospitality leaders and MPs are among those expected to take part in the UKHospitality (UKH) Summer Conference to showcase the sectors vision for the future to key Government and political figures.

Queen's speech provides 'missed opportunity' for sector

11-May-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The Queen’s opening speech in the House of Lords yesterday (Tuesday 10 May) proved “an opportunity missed” as the hospitality industry needs “concrete action” to reduce the burdens faced by the sector.

UKH backs call for Gov night-time sector support

26-Apr-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

UKHospitality (UKH) has backed calls for a Government support package to help counter shortages in night-time sector door staff, including assistance in recruitment and training of additional security staff, especially women.

The MA's Review of the Week

Profit margins must take a hit as pubs share the pain with customers

22-Apr-2022 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Hydes Brewery's Adam Mayers to discuss the weeks news, from rising costs to the need for more effective Government.

Calorie labelling an unnecessary disaster for pubs

12-Apr-2022 By Ed Bedington

Once again the fun police have been let loose on the hospitality sector, and while the sector is used to handling and weathering well-intentioned, but ill-thought out legislation, the timing of the introduction of calorie labelling on menus couldn’t be...

UKH responds to Covid-19 inquiry consultation

11-Apr-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Trade body UKHospitality (UKH) welcomed the opportunity to comment on the Covid-19 Inquiry draft terms of reference, particularly the specific mention of hospitality.

£330m in Omicron grant cash unspent by councils

04-Apr-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Hospitality and leisure businesses received less than half (48%) of the £635m promised by the Government, analysis has found.

20% VAT hike comes into force

01-Apr-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

The return of a 20% VAT rate on food, accommodation and soft drinks is implemented from today (Friday 1 April).

Opinion

'Give the Government credit, where credit is due'

30-Mar-2022 By Philip Smith, the Lord Smith of Hindhead CBE and chief executive of the Association of Conservative Clubs

As we emerge from the Covid pandemic I think we can all agree that this has been the most extraordinary time in most of our lives, and in the life of the nation. There will be many lessons to be learned.

The MA's Review of the Week

'Deaf ear at the heart of Government'

25-Mar-2022 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with UK Hospitality's Kate Nicholls to discuss the week's big developments including the disappointment of the Spring Statement and the challenges facing the sector down the line.

Survival of the fittest as Government cuts support

25-Mar-2022 By Ed Bedington

Disappointment was the word from the sector as the chancellor sat back down from the podium, and if he was expecting a thundering applause, he was astonishingly mistaken.

Pubs prepare for Chancellor’s Spring Statement

23-Mar-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

The sector is gearing up to hear what Chancellor Rishi Sunak has to say in his Spring Statement today (Wednesday 23 March).

JDW boss blasts Gov proposal to increase VAT

22-Mar-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has criticised the Government’s plans to increase VAT back to 20% for food in pubs, restaurants and cafés from next month (April).

Calls for last orders on ‘draconian pub tax’

21-Mar-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government has been called on to urgently address the businesses rates iniquity, which threatens the future of pubs, a new report has stated.

Calorie regulations will bring ‘further cost pressures’ to industry

16-Mar-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

New calorie regulations will bring cost pressures and an added workload to a sector struggling to recover from Covid, according to operators.

More than three quarters of consumers support keeping 12.5% VAT

10-Mar-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Some 79% of consumers do not believe VAT should return to 20% in April, according to new research.

Less than a month until calorie label rules enforced

09-Mar-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub groups with more than 250 employees have four weeks to prepare for calorie information regulations, which will come into force from 6 April.

75% of operators still haven’t received Omicron Grants

08-Mar-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Three quarters (75%) of operators have not yet received their Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grants, more than two months after councils received the funding.

UKHospitality offers Ukraine crisis support

07-Mar-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

UKHospitality (UKH) is working alongside the Government to offer aid and support to those affected by the crisis in Ukraine, as conflict reaches its 12th day.

MA Leaders Club

Have you received your Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant?

01-Mar-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Local authorities have yet to distribute more than £550m worth of the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grants, according to business minister Paul Scully.

A look back at how the coronavirus pandemic impacted pubs

01-Mar-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Following the Government's Living with Covid plan being published last week, The Morning Advertiser has taken a deep dive into the rules and regulations the sector has faced amid the pandemic over the past two years.

No time to sit on our hands

01-Mar-2022 By Ed Bedington

And so, with screaming tyres and a whiff of burning (or is that hypocrisy), the Government has yanked on the handbrake and skidded us 180 degrees out of the pandemic.

BBPA welcomes consultation into online sales tax

28-Feb-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed the Government’s decision to launch a consultation into an online sales tax.

Lower VAT remains operators' top ask for Spring Statement

28-Feb-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Keeping the 12.5% VAT rate on food, soft drinks and accommodation is the most preferred ask from operators to the Government ahead of the Chancellor's Spring Statement next month (March), a flash survey has shown.