Multi-Site Pub Operators

74% Brits see pub as key to community

25-Jan-2024 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Three quarters of Brits (74%) see the pub as key to the community, research from alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint has revealed.

PROPERTY

Brotherhood bars invests £500k into refurb

24-Jan-2024 By Rebecca Weller

This week's property refurb round-up includes investments from sports bars operator Brotherhood, pub with rooms brand Inn Collection and Shepherd Neame.

Revolution Bars Group 'reconsiders' growth expectations

24-Jan-2024 By Rebecca Weller

Revolution Bars Group reconsiders its previous assumptions of like-for-like growth for the second half of the financial year as rising costs and inflation create “additional burdens”.

Marston’s unveils new partnership agreement

24-Jan-2024 By Nikkie Thatcher

Wolverhampton-based pub company Marston’s has announced a new partnership agreement, which will eventually include all partner pubs.

Christmas trade helps Marston’s boost lfl sales by 8.1%

23-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

Marston’s has reported an 8.1% boost in like-for-like sales during the festive period.

North Brewing co-founder ‘debt repayments like cement shoes’

19-Jan-2024 By Nikkie Thatcher

The burden of debt repayments alongside a plethora of ongoing challenges were cited as the reasons behind Leeds-based business North Brewing filing a notice of intention to appoint administrators, one of the co-founders told The Morning Advertiser.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Admiral boss: 'We need a competent Government'

19-Jan-2024 By Nikkie Thatcher

The MA’s Nikkie Thatcher spoke with Admiral Taverns CEO Chris Jowsey to find out his thoughts on the news from this week.

‘Clickbait headlines’ blasted by BrewDog’s Watt

19-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

BrewDog CEO and co-founder James Watt has blasted “completely false clickbait headlines” over the company’s decision to not retain the real living wage (RLW) status for bar staff.

7.7% sales upswing for M&B

18-Jan-2024 By Nikkie Thatcher

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has reported like-for-like sales growth of 7.7%, according to a trading update for the 15 weeks to 13 January 2024.

City Pub Group acquisition by Young’s set to complete in March

18-Jan-2024 By Nikkie Thatcher

The acquisition of City Pub Group by Young’s is expected to complete on 4 March following shareholders voting strongly in favour of the transaction.

MY PUB

My Pub: the Hinds Head, Bray, Berkshire

17-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

When the Heston Blumenthal group operates a pub, you know the food is going to be something else.

Still opportunity in late night - Breakthrough Bars

16-Jan-2024 By Ed Bedington

With the late-night sector undergoing some serious challenges, one company is still aiming for success and predicting great opportunities in the market.

Rekom UK ‘cannot continue in current structure’

15-Jan-2024 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Late-night operator Rekom UK has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators to some of its brands.

Richard Ferrier promoted to Heartwood CEO

15-Jan-2024 By Rebecca Weller

Richard Ferrier has been promoted to CEO of Heartwood Collection after more than a decade with the company.

OPINION

Premiumisation of cask ale is key to untapping its potential

15-Jan-2024 By Georgina Young, brewing director and head brewer, St Austell Brewery

Cask has been at the forefront of our brewery team’s mind throughout this year as we continue to champion our national beer.

Beer & Coffee Company to open the Lost Pug

12-Jan-2024 By The Morning Advertiser

The Warwickshire-based bar and restaurant group behind venues including pubs the Royal Pug, the Fat Pug and the Black Pug in Warwick, and the Lazy Pug in Shipston is continuing to expand with plans for a new Pug venue.

New Year’s Honours roll call review

12-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

The New Year Honours list always attracts attention and the recent awards were no exception as JD Wetherspoon (JDW) chairman Tim Martin received a knighthood for his services to hospitality and culture.

Property market set to be dynamic in 2024

11-Jan-2024 By Nikkie Thatcher

An increased level of activity in the property market signalled the potential of a dynamic market in 2024, a new report has revealed.

Xmas trade better than expected for 50% of pubs

11-Jan-2024 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Half (50%) of operators say trade was better than expected over the festive season, according to a recent snap poll by The Morning Advertiser.

Fears Stonegate sites at risk as TDR looks to refinance £2.5bn debt

11-Jan-2024 By Rebecca Weller

More than 650 Stonegate pubs could be put at risk as its parent company seeks to refinance £2.5bn worth of debt, though the firm claims it is “well-placed” to deliver on its long-term objectives.

Arc reports record December alongside openings pipeline

11-Jan-2024 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Arc Inspirations has reported record sales in the last month of 2023 and has revealed plans for expansion.

THE CASK PROJECT

Theakston celebrates new listings for lower alcohol beer Quencher

10-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

T&R Theakston is celebrating new listings throughout the UK for one of its newest beers – Quencher.

Nightcap’s Willingham ‘could not be prouder’ after record Xmas

10-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

Nightcap has reported record trading for the Christmas period in an update to the end of 2023.

Red Oak acquires further four pubs from Marston's

09-Jan-2024 By Rebecca Weller

Red Oak Taverns has begun its 2024 acquisition programme by adding a further four pubs to its portfolio from Marston's Pub Company.

Former East London Pub Company sites on sale

09-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

Four pubs of the former East London Pub Company (ELPC), which went into administration in November last year, have been placed on the market.

JDW sets new Euston Station pub opening date

08-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is to open its new pub near Euston Station on Tuesday 9 January, which will create 55 new jobs.

Pubs urged to strike energy deals while costs are low

05-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

Pubs should lock in price deals on energy as commodity costs continue to reduce and are 60% lower than a year ago.

The surge in applications to run a pub

05-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

“New year, new me.” So often the cry of someone who managed to survive the previous 365 days despite facing hammer blows all the way with the intention of reversing such misfortunes in the time it will take for the Earth to revolve around the sun again.

Review of the Week

'We need to go to war on VAT'

05-Jan-2024 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington met up with Oakman Group's Peter Borg-Neal to get his take on the week's news, from a knighthood for Sir Tim through to closures and Christmas trade.

Revolution Xmas lfl sales up 9% but eight sites to shut

05-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

Revolution Bars Group saw like-for-like (lfl) sales for the festive month rise by 9% – which is its best December trading since 2019.

Amber Taverns reports strong festive trading

04-Jan-2024 By Shwetali Sapte

Amber Taverns has reported strong trading over the festive period across its pub portfolio, with like-for-like sales up 20% in the period spanning 18 December to 1 January 2024.

Darts star Luke Littler is pride of Joseph Holt pub

03-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

Darts sensation Luke Littler was the centre of attention for fans of the sport across the world last night (3 January) but it was particularly special for his bartending older brother Leon.

Motorcycle crash victim operating his own pub two years on

02-Jan-2024 By Gary Lloyd

A former landscape gardener, who stopped breathing after a motorcycle accident and was in a coma for six days, has become a licensee at his own pub just two years after the crash.

Star shines as Marston’s T&L pub of the year

22-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Publican Ally Heath praised her team after the Star in Penkridge saw off all other competitors to be crowned pub of the year in Marston’s tenanted & leased annual awards.

PUBLICAN AWARDS

2024 Publican Awards finalists revealed

20-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

With the first stage of the rigorous judging process complete, the 2024 Publican Awards finalists can now be unveiled.

NWTC enjoys record trade leading up to Xmas

20-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

New World Trading Company (NWTC) has reported a record week of sales in the festive lead up.

Anglian Country Inns reports strong revenue growth

20-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Anglian Country Inns (ACI) has revealed a 25.8% uptick in revenue, partly driven by price increases to offset inflationary costs with the majority coming from a rise in footfall.

Roxy celebrates milestone as it gears up for 19th opening

20-Dec-2023 By Ed Bedington

Roxy Leisure is celebrating a decade of trade as it prepares to open its 19th site in York early next year.

Knipe re-takes control at Blackrose

20-Dec-2023 By Ed Bedington

Blackrose Pubs has been bought back following the purchase of the business brand by former managing director Daren Knipe.

Admiral invests almost £1m in four pub revamps

19-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Admiral Taverns has invested close to £1m in the renovation and reopening of four of its pubs in the past month.

Festive lifeline needed to save firms

19-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

More than half of small to medium business (SME) owners will have to close, put plans on hold or find other employment if Christmas isn’t a successful trading period, research has found.

The Big Interview

'I've got a ridiculous addiction to pubs' - Stonegate's Payne takes a look back

19-Dec-2023 By Ed Bedington

After more than 50 years in the pub trade, Stonegate founder and chairman Ian Payne is hanging up his bar blade. The MA met up with him to chat over 50 amazing years in the trade.

Robinsons reopens pub after six-week transformation

19-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Stockport-based brewer and pub operator Robinsons has reopened the Navigation pub in Marple, Greater Manchester, following an extensive six-week long refurbishment.

Greene King kitchen academy offers work lifeline to prisoners

15-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brewer and pub operator Greene King is giving prisoners a second chance by opening a kitchen training academy at HMP & YOI Grampian prison.

Wells & Co adds first new French sites since 2019

15-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Bedford-based brewer and pub operator Wells & Co has expanded its French pub estate by two sites – welcoming the House of Parliament and HMS Victory in Bordeaux to its portfolio.

Amber Taverns to reach 170 sites with four openings

13-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Amber Taverns will open pubs at four new locations in spring 2024.

Valiant acquires 4 pubs from McManus

13-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator McManus Pub Company has sold four Northamptonshire-based pubs to Valiant Pub Co.

Trio of community heroes hailed by Admiral division

13-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Admiral Taverns’ community wet-led Proper Pubs division has announced a trio of winners for its Community Hero Awards.

Admiral opens 200th Proper Pubs site

12-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Admiral Taverns has opened the 200th site in its Proper Pubs division in time for Christmas.

OPINION

Where have all the pubs gone?

11-Dec-2023 By Stephen Owens, managing director – Pubs & Restaurants, Christie & Co

It seems hardly a day goes by without the media commenting on the rate of pub closures or the rising price of a pint.