Property

Property refurbs: this week's round-up features Brotherhood, Shepherd Neame and Inn Collection Group

PROPERTY

Brotherhood bars invests £500k into refurb

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.

Stop the rot: BBPA urges Gov to secure sector's future as 509 pubs shut in 2023 (Credit: Getty/	dmbaker)

More than 500 pubs closed in 2023

By Rebecca Weller

More than 500 pubs closed their doors for good last year, data from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has revealed.

Boss comments: M&B chief executive Phil Urban was delighted by the firm's trading performance

7.7% sales upswing for M&B

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.

Fleurets Survey of Pub Prices January 2024: pub numbers expected to continue declining (Credit: Getty/onfilm)

Number of pubs expected to decline in 2024

By Rebecca Weller

The total number of pubs in the UK will “continue to decline” as more than a third of freehold sites sold in 2023 no longer operate as pubs, according to the Fleurets Survey of Pub Prices January 2024.

Finding more ways to prosper: Professor Victoria Wells

OPINION

Pubs have had to diversify to survive

By Victoria Wells, Professor of Sustainable Management School for Business and Society, University of York

As a pub researcher I’m almost always given pub (or beer) related gifts for Christmas and birthdays – Christmas 2023 was no exception.

New opening: £1.1m has been invested in the new JDW pub at Haven Primrose Valley

JDW to operate at Haven holiday parks

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has signed an exclusive agreement with UK holiday park operator, Haven, meaning it can operate at its parks.

Fresh challenge: taking on a pub or moving to a different site could be just what the doctor ordered (credit: getty/andresr)

The surge in applications to run a pub

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.

Message for Government: JW Lees' MD William Lees-Jones says the Government must look at what it can do to help the sector

JW Lees reports record turnover of £88m

By Gary Lloyd

Manchester-based brewer JW Lees has reported record turnover for the year to 31 March 2023 with revenue at £88m (up £13m (16%) on the previous year).

Founder Knipe reacquires Blackrose Pubs

Knipe re-takes control at Blackrose

By Ed Bedington

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

Sector review: the landscape is leaner but it is more balanced argues Christie & Co's Stephen Owens

OPINION

Where have all the pubs gone?

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.

Phil Dixon on the viability of pubs

OPINION

'Is a pub ever truly viable?'

By Phil Dixon, trade adviser

It was 1983. I was the Midland’s Senior Officer at the National Licensed Victuallers Association.

Sector attacked: can Zoe Eliasson meeting a community plea also help hospitality's standing?

OPINION

Seeking positive feedback as a community stalwart

By Zoe Eliasson, licensee at the Boot at Sarratt, Hertfordshire

With our pub, the Boot at Sarratt (established 1729), being situated in the middle of our picturesque village, we had no choice but to agree to a Christmas plea from the Church and local primary school.

The Carpenters Arms pub Eastling Kent under new ownership

PROPERTY ROUND UP

Trio takes on Shepherd Neame pub

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Three friends have come to the helm of a Shepherd Neame pub, while another venue has launched a fish & chip shop as operators expand their estate.

City centre venue: G-A-Y Late is set to shut next month (image: Getty/MicroStockHub)

‘Iconic’ LGBTQ+ venue to shut

By Nikkie Thatcher

Owner of G-A-Y Late Jeremy Joseph has announced the closure of the Soho venue, citing a number of external pressures as the reasons why.

Epic ineptitude: BrewDog CEO James Watt (pictured) condemns Durham council over opening of firm's new site in the city

James Watt accuses Durham council of 'staggering incompetence'

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.

Great relationship: Shepherd Neame acquires Ship Inn pub in Herne Bay (Pictured: licensees Alan and Michele Clarke)

Shepherd Neame expands tenanted estate

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.

Worrying sign: number of pub and bar insolvencies soars by 66% YOY (Credit: Getty/ilbusca)

Number of pub and bar insolvencies jumps 66% YOY

By Rebecca Weller

The number of pub and bar company insolvencies soared by two thirds in the year to September as high inflation and interest rates make turning a profit “impossible”.

What's in the news November 17

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Business rates support ‘is the big one’

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.

On the market: all 25 former Wear Inns pubs are up for sale (credit: Getty/Shaun Taylor)

Administrators appointed to former Wear Inns pubco

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.

Iconic: Admiral refutes claims it let the Lincoln Imp turn to rack and ruin (Pictured: Exterior of the Lincoln Imp now and locals at the pub before its closure/Courtesy of Lorraine Briggs)

EXCLUSIVE

Admiral refutes 'rack and ruin' claims

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.

Hydes opens dining pub the Harry Beswick Wirral, Merseyside

Hydes opens £3.6m premium dining pub

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

North west brewery and pub retailer Hydes has launched its first new establishment in five years, following the opening of its latest premium pub dining venue on the Wirral, Merseyside.