Legislation

NTIA launches 2024 Night Time Economy Manifesto

24-Oct-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has announced the official launch of its 2024 Night Time Economy Manifesto today (24 October).

Fuller’s: Pub closures will increase tenfold without business rates relief

23-Oct-2023 By Hannah Currie, MCA

Pub and restaurant closures will increase tenfold unless the government finds a more equitable way of raising tax through business rates, says Simon Emeny, chief executive of Fuller’s.

Brakspear boss: business rates rise threat hangs over the sector

20-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies has described the threat of business rates rises and the current discount being axed in April next year as “the Sword of Damocles” hanging over the sector.

Government ‘must act’ to avoid £1.95bn business rates rise

18-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pubs and bars have been warned they face huge multimillion-pound hikes in business rates bills from April 2024 if the Government fails to act when it comes to freezing rates and failing to retain discounts currently offered.

Pubs call for VAT reduction ahead of Autumn Statement

17-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

More than half of pubs want a reduction in VAT from the upcoming Autumn Statement to help keep their business “profitable”, a snap poll by The Morning Advertiser has revealed.

The Lock In Podcast

Rampant costs: The Lock In Live at The Restaurant Show

16-Oct-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Lock In team take to the airwaves live at The Restaurant Show with two top operators to tackle the cost challenges the sector is facing.

POLL: what do pubs need from the Autumn Statement?

12-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Ahead of next month's Autumn Statement, The Morning Advertiser wants to know what support you would find most beneficial for your business, have your say and vote now in our snap poll below.

EXCLUSIVE

8 in 10 feel NLW hike will have significant impact

10-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Operators from across the sector have urged the Government to support pubs in delivering the increase to the National Living Wage (NLW) as more than 80% feel the rise will have a significant impact on their business.

Staffing issues 'biggest thing holding back growth'

06-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Ongoing staffing issues are the “biggest thing holding back growth” in the sector and the Government needs to act “much quicker” in addressing labour shortages.

Northern business left 'hung out to dry' after HS2 scrapped

05-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The discontinuation of HS2 is a “travesty” and leaves northern businesses “hung out to dry”, but investment into improvement transport links is a “positive” step.

Review of the Week

'National living wage is very inflationary'

05-Oct-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington catches up with award winning operator Clive Price of Barons Pub Company for his take on the week's news.

Pubs urged to support rate relief campaign

05-Oct-2023 By Ed Bedington

Pubs are being called upon for one final push to campaign for continued business rates relief ahead of the Autumn Statement.

‘Putting vocational education on same footing as academic long overdue’

05-Oct-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The replacement of A levels and T levels with a new qualification for school leavers has been welcomed by one trade body.

Poll: how much of an impact will the NLW rise have on your pub?

04-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Earlier this week Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced an increase to the National Living Wage (NLW), but how much of an impact will this have on your business? Vote now in our poll to have your say.

NLW rises by 40.5% in 5 years

03-Oct-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The national living wage (NLW) is set to rise to “at least £11” next April, meaning it will have soared by nearly 40.5% in the past five years.

Operator warns pubs 'can't absorb' increase to NLW

02-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Pubs will not be able to “absorb” the increase to the National Living Wage (NLW) as the sector continues to face “unrivalled pressure”, one Suffolk-based operator has warned.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Lord Bilimoria: 'Gov needs to stop taking sector for granted'

29-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government needs to start listening to the hospitality sector and stop taking the industry “for granted”, Cobra Beer founder Lord Karan Bilimoria told The Morning Advertiser.

Call for pubs to step up on rates campaigning

29-Sep-2023 By Ed Bedington

With many pubs struggling to break even, operators are being urged to increase pressure through their local MPs around business rates relief as the Government Autumn Statement approaches.

Government secures £1.2m for 4 pubs

29-Sep-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

More than £1m has been earmarked for four pubs as part of the Government’s community ownership fund scheme, which UKHospitality (UKH) has celebrated as “really positive news”.

Late-night levy: how can local authorities support sector?

27-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Since being introduced in 2011, the late-night levy (LNL) has proved controversial and has been seen by many across the sector as “unfair”. But following the changes implemented in July this year, how should authorities look to support the sector regarding...

FEATURE - Technology

FEATURE: How tech can free up time for your staff

25-Sep-2023 By Fiona Griffiths

Times are tough right now. Pub and bar operators are being hit from all sides with consumers tightening their belts, struggles over recruitment and costs soaring across the board.

'Swift action' needed as beer prices rocket 12.1%

22-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

“Swift action” to tackle “spiralling” costs is “desperately” needed to bring down beer costs as the price of a pint jumps 12.1% year-on-year.

Bidfood workers to vote on strike action

22-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Bidfood workers have started voting on strike action after a “breakdown of pay negotiations”, the GMB Union has claimed.

Sector ‘collateral damage’ of rail strikes

22-Sep-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

There have been renewed calls for resolution amid the ongoing rail strikes as hospitality continues to lose sales due to the industrial action.

Inflation rate 'not telling true story'

20-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Trade bodies urge the Government to provide “targeted support” for the sector in the November budget as decline to the headline rate of inflation does not “tell the true story”.

Vanishing pubs ‘stark reminder’ of harsh reality

19-Sep-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Trade bodies have called for Government to help the sector, after new data revealed 77 pubs closed per month in the second quarter of 2023, issuing a “stark reminder”.

Brixton Academy to reopen under stringent conditions

18-Sep-2023 By Gary Lloyd

A collaborative effort to reopen Brixton Academy has been hailed as key in the decision to allow the famous music venue to open its doors again, according to the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA).

MA LEADERS CLUB

What pubs need to know about their role in counter-terrorism

15-Sep-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The introduction of Martyn’s Law – a response to terrorism in the UK – will affect the pub industry so operators need to know what their responsibilities will be when the law comes into force.

Six-month wait on holiday entitlement for irregular hours staff goes on

15-Sep-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Staff members who work part-year and irregular hours in the hospitality sector are still waiting to find out what their holiday entitlements are despite a Government consultation ending more than six months ago.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Advice for prospective publicans

15-Sep-2023 By Poppleston Allen partner James Anderson

I am looking today at some advice if you are taking on a pub whether tenanted, leased or indeed buying a freehold.

Takeaway pints extension ‘welcome boost’

14-Sep-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The sector has “wholeheartedly welcomed” the extension of relaxed licensing rules, which mean pubs can continue to sell takeaway alcohol.

Suitability key for success of new Gov employment scheme

12-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

New Government scheme to create the “next generation” of hospitality leaders is a “noble aim” but suitability of candidates is of the utmost importance, Barons managing director Clive Price told The Morning Advertiser (MA).

OPINION

Batten down and call out Brexit

07-Sep-2023 By Brendan Padfield, owner, the Unruly Pig, Bromeswell, Suffolk

As autumn beckons, sadly further clouds appear to be gathering for the hospitality sector. Many of our team at the Unruly Pig are not alone facing whopping increases in their mortgage payments from October to December, which will significantly adversely...

Firms 'not making any profit' despite increase in revenue

07-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Revenues have been estimated to be up across the sector but businesses are “not making any margin or profit” as inflation makes it “near impossible” for pubs to keep up with costs.

Operator to face no further action in golly doll dispute

06-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Former operator of the White Hart Inn, Grays, Essex, will face no further action after displaying racist dolls behind the bar, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided.

New NACM chair calls for excise duty freeze

06-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) has elected director of family-owned and Somerset-based Sheppy’s Cider, David Sheppy, as its new chair.

UKH Scotland calls for business rates action

04-Sep-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

UKHospitality (UKH) Scotland is urging the First Minister to address the multi-million pound hike in business rates that is set to hit hospitality this spring.

THE POWER STRUGGLE

Top tips for requesting renegotiation with energy suppliers

04-Sep-2023 By The Morning Advertiser

With energy prices continuing to be operators’ main concern, trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has outlined a number of top tips around renegotiating with suppliers as part of its joint campaign with The Morning Advertiser - The Power Struggle.

BBPA: Ofgem review means 'very little' without urgent action

04-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Ofgem’s non-domestic market review means “very little” for businesses without swift implementation, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has stated.

THE POWER STRUGGLE - OPINION

Kate Nicholls: 'If we can demonstrate the strength of feeling as a sector, it's more likely action is taken'

04-Sep-2023 By Kate Nicholls, chief executive, UKHospitality

The energy crisis of the last 18 months has been extremely tough for the nation’s pubs, particularly coming hot on the heels of the pandemic.

JDW slashing prices to highlight benefit of permanent VAT cut

04-Sep-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub behemoth JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is cuttings its prices by 7.5% for one day in a bid to highlight showcase the positive impact a permanent VAT reduction would have for the hospitality sector.

Admiral pub at risk of demolition

01-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

An Admiral Taverns site in north Lincolnshire is at risk of demolition to make way for flats.

Sector calls for inquiry into ‘new deal’ on business rates

31-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) is calling on the Scottish Government to investigate a ‘new deal’ for the nation’s pubs and bars on non-domestic rates, as the industry rebuilds from the pandemic.

NTIA backs call to modernise UK drugs policy

31-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The late-night sector must come together to enhance drug testing across nightlife businesses because the Government’s policy on drugs needs “urgent modernisation”.

Late-night workers speak out on ‘brutal’ ULEZ charges

29-Aug-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

DJs have shared stories of missed work opportunities and eye-watering charges due to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which has now expanded to include all of London’s boroughs.

Bank holiday boost but staff shortages bite

29-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

UK pubs benefited from increased trade during the bank holiday weekend but staff shortages prevented even greater sales.

‘ULEZ expansion puts night workers & economy under siege’

29-Aug-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone, (ULEZ) which from today (Tuesday 29 August) includes all of London’s borough’s has been slammed by one trade body.

Plea for Gov help as vacancies continue to hurt sector

26-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Trade bodies have united to call on the Government to help fill jobs in hospitality if the boost given to the trade by the Women’s World Cup final last weekend is to continue.

Private security sector faces 'huge challenges'

25-Aug-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The private security sector faces some “huge challenges” over the coming years with a “huge amount” of work to be done by regulators and the Government, according to the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA).

Review of the Week

'I don't feel represented'

24-Aug-2023 By Ed Bedington

Top chef and pub and bistro operator Gary Usher calls for more passion from lobbyists, greater support for independent businesses, a reduction in VAT and talks about the challenges around recruitment in the MA's Review of the Week.