Multi-Site Pub Operators

THE CASK PROJECT

Why Cask Ale Week is a highlight on the pub calendar

24-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Plenty has happened in recent times when it comes to the world of cask ale – not least Cask Ale Week, which was, as usual, a huge success.

Extra time to enter 2024 Publican Awards

24-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The entry deadline for next year’s Publican Awards has been extended, meaning operators have an additional week to be in with a chance of being named the best of the best.

Train strikes hit trade at Nightcap, revenue up 42.7% in FY23

23-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Current trade at Nightcap has been hit by rail strikes and warm weather but revenue in its financial year to July has risen by 42.7%.

James Watt accuses Durham council of 'staggering incompetence'

22-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

BrewDog’s James Watt has condemned Durham County Council for its “staggering display of incompetence” regarding the firm’s new site in the city, yet the council says it has worked "tirelessly" to help the Ellon-based firm.

Inn Collection completes multi-million-pound refurb

21-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

This week's property round-up features refurbishments and investments from Inn Collection, Admiral Taverns, Roxy Leisure and Joseph Holt.

Shepherd Neame expands tenanted estate

21-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepheard Neame has expanded its tenanted estate with the acquisition of a historic seafront pub in the South-East.

THE CASK PROJECT

GK launches Cask Ale Club for franchises and T&L division

21-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brewer and pub operator Greene King has launched a ‘Cask Ale Club’ initiative exclusively available to its ‘Pub Partners’.

Famed sandwich maker and publican to open third pub

20-Nov-2023 By The Morning Advertiser

Sandwich supremo Max Halley and publican Ethan Davids are opening their third pub together later this month.

Punch appoints ex-Peach MD Stoddart as strategic adviser

20-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Co-founder of Peach Pubs Hamish Stoddart has joined Punch Pubs & Co as a strategic adviser to its board.

Star invests more than £50m into pub estate

17-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Star Pubs & Bars has injected more than £51m into its pub estate since September last year.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Business rates support ‘is the big one’

17-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington spoke to Oak Taverns managing director Simon Collinson to get his thoughts on the week's news and the upcoming Autumn Statement on Wednesday 22 November.

Marston’s CEO Andrea replaced by Merlin strategy officer

17-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Marston’s CEO Andrew Andrea has agreed with the board he will step down from his role with immediate effect and will be replaced by Merlin Entertainment chief strategy officer Justin Platt.

Stonegate CEO Ian Payne to retire

17-Nov-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Stonegate chairman and founder Ian Payne MBE has decided to retire at the end of January 2024 and step down from his role with the group after 13 years.

‘Tale of two halves’ as Young’s reports ‘strong’ results

16-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

London-based pub operator Young’s has reported a 12% lift to its adjusted profit before tax and labelled the 26-week period of its financial year as a “tale of two halves”.

Emeny hails ‘excellent financial results’ at Fuller’s

15-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pub operator Fuller’s has delivered “excellent financial results” with like-for-like (lfl) sales up 12.7% in the first half of its financial year (H1 2024) compared to the same period last year.

Administrators appointed to former Wear Inns pubco

15-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The property company that operated north-east-based pub business Wear Inns after it was acquired in August 2018 has gone into administration meaning all 25 sites are now on the market.

Managed pubs provide bright spot despite sales growth slowdown

15-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Sales growth slowed at managed pubs in October due to poor weather, including Storm Babet.

EXCLUSIVE

Admiral refutes 'rack and ruin' claims

15-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Admiral Taverns has hit back at claims it has allowed a north Lincolnshire pub to go to “rack and ruin” in a bid to make way for building developments on the site.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

The Piano Works moves to Nightcap venue

15-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Nightcap, Loungers and Hydes have recently launched new sites across the country.

Logistics staff contracted by Greene King to strike in Xmas run-up

14-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Lorry drivers and warehouse staff contracted by Greene King will take part in a series of strikes after a below-inflation pay offer was rejected.

Loungers opens four sites, roll-out plans on track

13-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Loungers boss Nick Collins has expressed his joy at opening four sites since mid-September and confirmed the company’s fast-track roll-out plans are on track.

THE CASK PROJECT

Hook Norton brewer: quality and price point key for cask’s future

10-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Maintaining quality and not being scared to charge what your beer is worth will help cask beer stay at the forefront of UK pubs.

Ollie Vaulkhard: 'It’s not the Government’s job to save you'

10-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Vaulkhard Group is weathering financial challenges, but trade is strong and the director predicts great times ahead for hospitality.

Admiral Taverns posts improved turnover and EBITDA

09-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Despite economic headwinds creating a “challenging backdrop” for its licensees, Admiral Taverns has posted improved turnover and EBITDA figures in its 2023 financial year (FY23) results.

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Robinsons and Almond Pubs invest £500k into Manchester site

08-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

In this week's property round-up, Almond Pubs director Vicki Williams discusses the new look for the Fletcher's Arms in Manchester and ongoing "conversations" about future partnerships with Robinsons Brewery.

Like-for-like sales up 9.5% at JDW

08-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has reported like-for-like (lfl) sales in the first 14 weeks of its financial year (FY24) were 9.5% higher than the same period last year.

BrewDog’s Hawkes taproom shuts for good

07-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

BrewDog has called last orders at its Hawkes taproom in Bermondsey, south London, citing economic pressures.

Peach Pubs key to future growth for Revolution

07-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Peach Pubs is key to future growth for Revolution Bars Group as many younger guests at its other brands are being impacted most by inflationary pressures.

BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: Ollie Vaulkhard is playing the long game

07-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Light streams into the Newcastle-based eatery Bealim House as Ollie Vaulkhard logs on for our interview.

Water supply issues force Surrey pub to close

06-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Pubs in Surrey were left without water on the “busiest day” of the week, potentially costing firms “thousands”, with much of the area still “left in the dark” about when their supply will return, one operator told The Morning Advertiser.

Oakman updates on challenges and improvements

06-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

CEO of multiple operator Oakman Group Peter Borg-Neal has updated the company’s response to industry challenges and trading improvements in a recent shareholder letter.

Rate of site closures slows

06-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

While the number of Britain’s licensed premises dropped by 3.6% over the past 12 months, the pace has slowed as the ear has gone on.

Green Salmon Co boss: ‘pubs are a crucial part of the community’

03-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

In the latest Review of the Week, The Morning Advertiser’s Nikkie Thatcher spoke with Green Salmon Company’s David Salmon about the past seven days.

EXCLUSIVE

North reopening ‘cherished’ bar

03-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator North has revealed it is reopening a ‘cherished’ site in Chapel Allerton next week following its closure last month (October).

POLL

Should pubs allow non-paying guests to use the toilet?

01-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Should pubs allow non-paying customers to use the toilet? While it may be seen as the hospitable thing to do, there can be a cost to operators involved and rude guests to contend with.

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

BrewDog eyes Asia expansion after Hong Kong launch

01-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

It's been a big month for BrewDog, with new sites launching in Hong Kong and Amsterdam, and now the operator is looking to further spread its wings into Asia.

North Brewing opens first international site

31-Oct-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Leeds-based brewer and operator North Brewing has announced has opened its first international bar in Treviso, Italy.

PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

Explore a world of flavours with Mission Foods

30-Oct-2023 By Mission Foods

Looking to make your pub menu really stand out this autumn-winter season?

Red Oak Taverns acquisition history

27-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Multi-site operator Red Oak Taverns has procured some 25 pubs across the country so far this year, bringing its total number of venues to more than 200.

Pubs counter ‘no-shows double’ research claim

27-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The unwelcome sight of increased numbers of ‘no-shows’ has reared its ugly head once again in the sector but not all pubs The Morning Advertiser spoke to are convinced the situation is getting worse.

Transferred Punch pubs key to revenue boost

27-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Punch Pubs & Co’s move to convert leased and tenanted pubs to its managed division has been cited as the “predominant driving force” for a 10.2% lift in revenue in its trading update for the 52 weeks ended 13 August 2023.

FEATURE - FOOD TRENDS

FEATURE: Food trends for winter

27-Oct-2023 By Emma Eversham

Shorts and T-shirts have finally been replaced by sweaters and sou’westers as the UK’s weather resumes its usual service following an unseasonably warm and dry September and October.

Star injects more than £1.5m into Welsh pubs

26-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Star Pubs & Bars has revealed a new look for its flagship site in Cardiff, Wales, following a £1.4m renovation project, its biggest single investment this year, and plans to plough a further £730k into Welsh venues.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Morgan Pub Collective site opens after £270k refurb

24-Oct-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Morgan Pub Collective has taken on its sixth pub with Greene King Pub Partners, a Surrey operator has taken on his second pub and Brakspear pumps £2m into two L&T sites.

Red Oak Taverns to acquire 17 St Austell pubs

24-Oct-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Red Oak Taverns is set to complete the purchase of 17 sites from St Austell Brewery’s leased and tenanted division, helping to further extend the former’s presence in the south west.

BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: Tom Davies of Brakspear

23-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Regrets? Tom Davies of Brakspear doesn’t dwell on them.

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.

Greene King invests more than £15m into Hive Pubs

20-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Greene King Pub Partners, the leased and tenanted arm of Greene King, has invested more than £15m into its Hive Pubs model since its inception two years ago.

CASK WEBINAR

Don't miss our cask webinar live today at 3pm

20-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

If you want to start or improve your cask beer offer, sign up now for free to watch our webinar on cask ale that goes live today at 3pm (Tuesday 31 October).

OPINION

Company culture: how we can stand out from the pack

20-Oct-2023 By Kamran Dehdashti and Jamie Hazeel, founders, Little Door & Co

In the current economic climate, many hospitality businesses are finding the conditions tougher than ever – margins are being squeezed across the board, and revenue is less reliable and consistent than before.