Multi-Site Pub Operators

Diverse portfolio: Red Oak expands pub estate with more than 20 acquisitions in 2023

Red Oak Taverns acquisition history

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.

Disparity: research shows no-shows are increasing but not all pubs are affected (credit: Getty/SolStock)

Pubs counter ‘no-shows double’ research claim

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.

Revenue up: total revenue at Punch Pubs & Co has risen to £313.5m

Transferred Punch pubs key to revenue boost

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.

Seasonal meetings: a change of menu to suit the colder months could attract more customers (credit: Getty/SolStock)

FEATURE - FOOD TRENDS

FEATURE: Food trends for winter

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Shorts and T-shirts have finally been replaced by sweaters and sou’westers as the UK’s weather resumes its usual service following an unseasonably warm and dry September and October.

Biggest single investment: Star reopens the Unicorn in Cardiff after £1.4m refurb

Star injects more than £1.5m into Welsh pubs

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.

Money money money: Pubs reopen after impressive makeovers

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Morgan Pub Collective site opens after £270k refurb

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.

(image: Getty/Adam Gault)

Red Oak Taverns to acquire 17 St Austell pubs

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.

Sign up for a free webinar to help improve your cask ale offer

CASK WEBINAR

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

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).

Standing out: Little Door & Co managing director and co-founder Kamran Dehdashti (left) with director and co-founder Jamie Hazeel

OPINION

Company culture: how we can stand out from the pack

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.

Staffing fears: industry workers may be thinking about a different career but job satisfaction levels have risen (credit: Getty/Charday Penn)

Career change considered by 42% of industry staff

By Gary Lloyd

More than two in five workers in the hospitality sector are considering a career outside the industry despite job satisfaction levels increasing ‘significantly’ during the past 12 months.

Free webinar -  improving your cask offer

CASK WEBINAR

How to improve your cask offer – free webinar

By Gary Lloyd

Whether you’re a licensee wanting to start serving cask beers or a pub company looking for a few tips to improve the offer you already have – this free webinar is one you won’t want to miss.

When does the Publican Awards deadline end?

Publican Awards

Publican Awards 2024 open for entry

By Ed Bedington

The hunt is on for the best operators in the hospitality sector as the industry’s leading awards gets underway for 2024.

Positive update: Armado Lounge in Plymouth

Loungers targets record number of openings

By Gary Lloyd

Loungers CEO Nick Collins has cited the “continued evolution” of the business as key to its sales growth in a trading update for the 24 weeks ended 1 October 2023.

Company investment: Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies (far right) with Manu Bhatt (third from right) and Richard Brown (far left) of Little & Large Pub Company and team members from the Running Horses

Brakspear pumps £2m into two L&T sites

By Nikkie Thatcher

South east-based multiple operator Brakspear is investing £2m into two of its leased and tenanted sites after signing agreements with growing pub groups Little & Large and Friendship and Beer.

Property refurbs: this week's round-up features Admiral Taverns and Stonegate

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Historic Notting Hill pub restored to 'former glory'

By Rebecca Weller

In this week's property refurbishment round-up, we spoke to operator of the Walmer Castle in Notting Hill about the historic pub's restoration while reopening's from Admiral Taverns, Inn Collection Group and Slug & Lettuce also feature.

Improved outlook: Marston's reports 10.1% sales increase

Marston's sales up 10% as pubco reduces head office costs

By Rebecca Weller

Pub operator and brewer Marston’s has reported like-for-like sales in the 52 weeks to Saturday 30 September were 10.1% up compared with the same period last year as well as a £5m reduction in head office costs.

Head-to-head: M&B to rival Greene King's US-style barbecue operation with new smokehouse opening (Credit: Getty/luchezar)

EXCLUSIVE

M&B to launch US-style barbecue venue

By The Morning Advertiser

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) are set to go head-to-head with Greene King with the launch of a new operation focused on "Slow ‘n Low" US-style barbecue food.

Significantly stronger: JDW reports 9.9% sales increase (Pictured: JDW chairman Tim Martin)

JDW reports 9.9% sales increase

By Rebecca Weller

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has reported like-for-like sales were up 9.9% in the nine weeks to 1 October 2023 compared to the same period last year.

Openings: Big news from Arc Inspirations, King Pins, AK Whelan

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

King Pins, AK Whelan open sites

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

In this week's property news, King Pins and AK Whelan announce new sites, as Arc Inspirations looks forward to its first foray into the east midlands.

Great scope: Andrew Bush says Greene King apprenticeships cover a huge variety of job roles

How the apprentice can become a master

By Gary Lloyd

A recent survey by Greene King found 19% of parents feel university is not the right choice for their children so The Morning Advertiser caught up with chief people & transformation officer Andrew Bush to find out about the opportunities offered with...

Where can pubs find resources about sustainability?

GREEN INITIATIVE

What have we learned about sustainability?

By Nikkie Thatcher

Three months on from launching a dedicated initiative around sustainability, we’ve rounded up what we’ve learned so far.

Record results: Jonathan Neame is confident for the future

‘Record revenues’ achieved by Shepherd Neame

By Gary Lloyd

Shepherd Neame CEO Jonathan Neame is confident “the turmoil of the past few years is now settling” as the company achieved “record revenues” in the 52 weeks ended 24 June 2023.

Treasured jewel: Shepherd Neame invests more than £2.5m into its pub estate (Pictured: the Tom Cribb pub in London)

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Shepherd Neame MD: 'pub's should reflect their heritage'

By Rebecca Weller

Pub refurbishments should reflect market trends while honouring their history, Shepherd Neame managing director Jonathon Swaine told The Morning Advertiser, as the pubco invests more than £2.5m into its estate.

Operation adaptation: judges describe the Boot & Shoe as a fantastic community pub

GBPA 2023

Meet the winner of the Admiral Pub of the Year 2023

By The Morning Advertiser

Extensive investment into its garden, along with an impeccably run operation has seen the Boot & Shoe named as the Admiral Pub of the Year in the Great British Pub Awards 2023.

Arkell's shows support for Cask Ale Week

The Cask Project

Arkell’s is on board for Cask Ale Week

By Gary Lloyd

Wiltshire-based Arkell’s Brewery is making the most of Cask Ale Week and its head brewer is keen to tell people why we should all be quaffing the beer in its finest form.

Transformation time: the pub has received a full refurbishment over the past two years

GBPA

Meet the winner of the Best Pub for Families 2023

By The Morning Advertiser

The Plough at Normanton-on-Wolds, Nottingham, is a charming rural pub that prides itself on a warm welcome for all, catering for every member of the family.

On the market: JD Wetherspoon has appointed two estate agents to sell 11 of its pubs (credit: Getty/JanpenBoonbao)

JDW to sell 11 pubs

By Gary Lloyd

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has appointed estate agents Savills and CBRE to sell 11 of its pubs.

Lively crowd: Pete Marshall (second from right) and his team at the Kings Arms, which won Best Pub for Entertainment get the party started

GBPA 2023

Pics of all the GBPA 2023 winners

By Gary Lloyd

For those who attended, the Great British Pub Awards (GBPA) 2023 will live long in the memory. If you were there and have forgotten who won, here is a picture special to remind who the winners were.

Trading conditions: Lumina's new report gives insight into the sector (Credit: Getty/Dimensions)

70% of hospitality leaders face staffing challenges

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Around 70% of leaders in the hospitality sector are facing challenges with tough trading conditions expected to continue, according to the new Lumina Intelligence Top of Mind Report 2023.