Legislation

Lockdown ends and new tiers apply today

02-Dec-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pubs will be operating under the new tier restrictions as the month-long national lockdown eases today (Wednesday 2 December).

Over 50,000 licensed venues to stay closed as national lockdown ends

02-Dec-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Some 50,000 licensed outlets may have to remain closed as national lockdown restrictions end today (Wednesday 2 December) and tiered measures begin.

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: Tiers and restrictions

02-Dec-2020 By Ed Bedington

In this week's episode of the Lock In podcast, Ed Bedington, Heath Ball and James Cuthbertson talk about preparing to come out of lockdown, their reaction to the latest government restrictions and find out live which tiers their pubs fall into. Tune...

lockdown live

Pubs hit by tier four closures in 'longest winter in living memory'

02-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

As pubs adapt to new coronavirus measures, The Morning Advertiser will bring you the latest updates and reaction on this live blog.

Government wins vote on post-lockdown tiers

01-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

The Government’s new tiered system will come into force at one minute past midnight, after 291 votes to 78.

Analysis

What financial support is available to UK pubs this winter?

01-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that England would be plunged into its third national lockdown in an address on 4 January, The Morning Advertiser rounds up what funding is available across the UK.

Fury at pub alcohol ban in Wales

01-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

A ban on serving alcohol in pubs has been met with anger from publicans in Wales, who say it means their businesses are not viable.

Star licensees urge Government action to save ‘thousands of wet led pubs’

01-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Nationwide pub operator Star Pubs & Bars, and a number of its licensees, have implored the Government to reconsider Covid secure measures imposed on the hospitality sector under its new tiered alert system.

Review needed for Government ‘evidence’ on trade transmission risk

30-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government has been urged to review its ‘evidence’ on the risk of coronavirus virus transmission in hospitality.

'An injustice to an industry that has done everything to comply'

27-Nov-2020 By Ed Bedington

The announcement of the tiering system leaving 99% of the UK in higher and extreme restrictive measures has come as a hammer blow to the hospitality industry - as Greene King ceo Nick Mackenize said, a lockdown in all but name.

Map: where can pubs open in England?

27-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

The Morning Advertiser (MA) has mapped out the new tier system for England after an additional fourth tier was added.

Countdown to Brexit

On-trade increasingly split between ‘strongly positive’ and ‘strongly negative’ Brexit forecasts

27-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

According to Lumina Intelligence’s UK Pub Market Report 2020, both strongly positive and strongly negative opinions of Brexit have become more prevalent within the on-trade over the past 12 months.

MPs oppose 'further hardship for our hospitality industry'

27-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

A number of MPs have said they will vote down the Government's new tiered coronavirus approach.

Analysis

Tier drop: what impact could the new Covid-19 alert system have on pubs?

26-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

The day after another 696 coronavirus-related deaths were recorded across the UK – the highest daily total since start of May – the Government has cooked up a new three-tiered trifle to force feed the embattled on-trade.

Analysis

14 ways in which Covid-19 is changing the UK pub market

26-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

A new report from Lumina Intelligence has found that coronavirus has carved 14bn off the sector’s value – but what specific symptoms has the trade shown, and what could its recovery look like?

Over 50 trade bosses pen letter to PM labelling pubs 'scapegoats'

26-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

More than 50 pub and brewing firms have signed a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, telling him the trade is being “scapegoated” and could be lost for good unless he takes action.

What is a substantial meal?

26-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

With a number of pubs expected to only be allowed to remain open if serving food when the latest tier measures are revealed, The Morning Advertiser takes a look at what constitutes a “substantial” meal.

'Not sure I'll sleep tonight' ahead of tier announcement

25-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pub operators have described nerves and a sense of hopelessness ahead of finding out which coronavirus rules their areas will be subject to.

Pubco bosses 'cowards' for not stepping up

25-Nov-2020 By Ed Bedington

Pubco bosses have failed to stand up and make their voices recognised, according to leading entrepreneur and sector investor Luke Johnson.

Chancellor 'ignores' cries for business rates help as NLW rises

25-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Chancellor Rishi Sunak warned the country’s "economic emergency has only just begun” as he outlined Government spending for the year ahead.

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: Christmas planning in a pandemic

25-Nov-2020 By Ed Bedington

In this week's episode of the Lock In podcast, Ed Bedington, Heath Ball and James Cuthbertson talk about Christmas, what can we expect to get out of a Christmas with restrictions, and where they see things heading. Tune in for a listen the latest...

Stop 'scapegoating' pubs and produce evidence, CAMRA urges

25-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government has once again faced calls to produce the evidence underpinning its stringent lockdown restrictions on pubs.

New tier two and three rules ‘to cost wet-led pubs £1.5bn’

24-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Wet-led pubs placed in the two highest tiers of the new restrictions once lockdown is eased will collectively lose £1.5bn in turnover, it has been estimated.

Opinion

Government needs to wake up and stop pointing the finger at pubs

24-Nov-2020 By Ed Bedington

The howls of anger continue to grow from a hospitality industry that continues to feel victimised and targeted by political leaders who refuse to justify their arguments with science.

What do pubs need to know for reopening in December?

24-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pubs can reopen after the second national lockdown restrictions are eased next month (December) but will have to adhere to rules upon opening the doors once again

New tiered rules ‘killing Christmas and beyond’ for trade

24-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The new restrictions on how pubs can operate in the tiered system once lockdown is eased will mean closures and further job losses, a trade body has said.

Curfew extension 'meaningless' alongside tougher rules

23-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Publicans have dubbed an extended curfew time as a “distraction” and said it will do little to help revenues amid tougher restrictions elsewhere.

11pm curfew and new tiers confirmed

23-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pubs will face a raft of new rules including an 11pm curfew and a change in local tiered restrictions when lockdown is eased, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced today (Monday 23 November).

'Shambolic' – anticipated measures set to hit hospitality hardest

23-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The trade has slammed the Government for the possible measures it is set to impose, once national lockdown restrictions are lifted next month (December).

Christmas pub parties 'never going to happen'

23-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Operators have said they are gearing up for a very different Christmas this year, as they wait to see what will be permitted for the festive period.

Job Retention Bonus removal ‘creates £2.1bn black hole’

23-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Removing the Job Retention Bonus means the hospitality sector is missing out on £2.1bn, a trade body has warned Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak.

MA’S REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Politicians ‘have to get off the pot and make a decision’ on 10pm curfew

19-Nov-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington spoke to Ed Turner of Buff and Bear Saloons to discuss the big issues from the news this week.

Opinion

Secretary of state has challenged me to ‘change how the PCA does business’

19-Nov-2020 By Fiona Dickie - pubs code adjudicator

The Government has this month published the first statutory review of the pubs code and the pubs code adjudicator (PCA).

2m distancing suggestion 'fundamentally idiotic'

19-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

It would be “fundamentally idiotic” for pubs to operate with two metres between tables, a pub company chief executive has said.

CGA: ‘We will pull through this crisis’

19-Nov-2020 By Georgia Cronin, MCA

The sector is living through its toughest period in eight years, but consumer data proves it will pull through, CGA chief executive Phil Tate has said.

Week's warning before lockdown lift essential

19-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Firms need a clear exit strategy and guidance when coming out of the second lockdown with at least seven days' warning, one business organisation has urged the Government.

Around 4,000 hospitality businesses face EOTHO fraud checks

19-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is to begin compliance checks on Eat Out to Help Out (EOTHO) payments at approximately 4,000 hospitality businesses as it looks to recoup funds paid in error.

Trade demands clarity on reopening after second lockdown

18-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Hospitality industry leaders have called on the Government to outline a post-lockdown roadmap for business operators in order to help them navigate eased restrictions next month (December).

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: Lockdown blues

18-Nov-2020 By Ed Bedington

In this week's episode of the Lock In podcast Ed Bedington, James Cuthbertson and Heath Ball talk about the challenges facing the sector in lockdown, how pubs can adapt and what the future might look like. Tune in to the latest episode of the Lock...

G-A-Y curfew challenge hearing set for next month

17-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

A hearing for the judicial review against the Government’s 10pm curfew from nightclub G-A-Y has been slated for 3 December.

Countdown to Brexit

Filling hospitality’s post-Brexit ‘talent hole’

16-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

It’s widely forecast that Britain’s departure from the European Union will trigger a dearth in workers from the continent on which the hospitality sector traditionally relies.

Countdown to Brexit

Post-Brexit supply chains: ‘We don’t know what we’re preparing for’

16-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

As Britain edges towards the end of an 11-month Brexit transition period, drinks makers and pub sector stakeholders remain hopeful the lack of clarity over supply chains will be addressed in the coming weeks.

MA’s review of the week

Pubs need ‘early warning' from Government over post-lockdown tiers

13-Nov-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington spoke to Tim Bird and Mary McLaughlin of Cheshire Cat Pubs and Bars to discuss the big issues from the news this week.

Brewers call for more support ahead of return to tiers 'disaster'

13-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Brewers have called tier three measures a “real disaster” and called for more evidence to justify the tough rules imposed on pubs.

UK economy rebounds from recession with record growth

12-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

Though not enough to reverse the damage caused by the ongoing pandemic, the UK's economy saw record growth of 15.5% from July to September according to latest figures.

Map: Scottish pubs hit by level system

12-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

The Morning Advertiser (MA) has mapped out the varying restrictions in Scotland under its five-level system of coronavirus rules.

Brexit countdown

Brexit transition period ends in less than a month

12-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

Pushed down the political pecking order by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Britain’s exit from the EU has burst back onto the agenda with less than a month and counting until the Brexit training wheels come off.

Scottish Government urged to extend opening hours

11-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Scottish pubs have been severed a “sucker punch” by the Government with its new levelled system of coronavirus measures, according to one trade group.

Second lockdown ‘costs JDW £14m’

11-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has estimated the ‘cash burn’ of the month-long enforced closure of its pubs under national lockdown will be approximately £14m.

More low and no options in Parliament pubs would keep MPs on their ‘A game’

11-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

Mindful drinking movement Club Soda and a number of low and no-alcohol drink makers have written to the House of Commons’ speaker to encourage the Westminster estate's bars to stock more alcohol-free drinks after he called time on Parliamentary pints.