Property

Setting sites on new sights: Fresh openings and revamps are on the cards

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Admiral Taverns pub reopens after £155k revamp

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

There are new sites from BrewDog and NWTC, while Admiral Taverns, Greene King and Shepherd Neame reopen pubs after significant investments.

Scene setting: (l-r) The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington quizzed Newcastle business bosses Malhotra Group chief operating office Atul Malhotra, NE1 chief executive Stephen Patterson, Vaulkhard Group director Ollie Vaulkhard

MA LEADERS CLUB

What operating in Newcastle is really like

By Nikkie Thatcher

Delegates at The Morning Advertiser’s MA Leaders Club heard from top operators on what Newcastle is like to operate in and how businesses are battling ongoing challenges.

Half-year results: people returning to city centres has helped boost business at Mitchells & Butlers

M&B lfl sales for first half of year rise 8.9%

By Gary Lloyd

Pubs, bars and restaurants operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has reported like-for-like sales growth of 8.9% for the first half (H1) of its 2023 financial year (FY23).

On track: James Brown and the Duckpin bowling attraction at BrewDog Waterloo

BrewDog’s praise for ‘passionate believers’

By Gary Lloyd

BrewDog Bars CEO James Brown has heaped praise on fellow Publican Awards finalists for having the bravery to open new sites while the industry was exiting Covid-restricted times.

From throwing parties to pouring pints: Electric Star celebrates 15 years

Rob Star: ‘Increasingly, people want an experience’

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

When Rob Star bought his first pub, he’d never poured a pint. Having spent his youth putting on raves, the call of east London’s taverns enticed him away from abandoned warehouses and archways.

How to survive in the pub trade

'Total war' - surviving 20 years in the trade

By Ed Bedington

Surviving 20 years in the pub trade without going backwards is no mean feat, but the founders of the Three Cheers Pub Co can look back with a real sense of achievement.

Boost for The Restaurant Group: Brunning & Price site the Highdown in Goring-on-Sea, West Sussex

Major shareholder of TRG issues vote of confidence

By Gary Lloyd

The largest shareholder of The Restaurant Group (TRG), which operates pub business Brunning & Price, has given its support to the group after other investors said they would not vote in favour of company resolutions.

Seaside scenes: Brighton crowned most vibrant late night city (credit: Getty/ Pavel Babic)

Brighton best city for a night out

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Brighton has topped lists as the UK’s best place for a night out, but more than half (54%) of cities have seen nightlife go downhill over the past decade.

Warning: JDW’s Tim Martin said a lack of Government understanding presents a threat to the prosperity of the country

JDW FY23 sales ‘likely to be a record’

By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has announced like-for-like (lfl) sales increased by 9.1% in the third quarter (Q3) of its 2023 financial year (FY23) and sales for the entire year look set to be a record.

Multiple business: the Box joins Arc's Manahatta venue in Birmingham

Arc to open biggest Box site to date

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Arc Inspirations is preparing to open its largest Box site in Brindleyplace, Birmingham next month (June).

Over the moon: A launch party on 13 May will celebrate the new beer (credit: Getty/ LauriPatterson)

Bright start for Snowmoon Brewing

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Snowmoon Brewing is launching in May as the project of London-based friends Joon Chung and Oli Edmonds.

Trading news: Liberation Group CEO optimistic for future

2023 off to robust start for Liberation Group

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Liberation Group has successfully completed the integration of Cirrus Inns into its Butcombe Pubs and Inns business and has reported an encouraging start to the new financial year.

Struggling sector: Independent businesses have borne the brunt of closures (credit: Getty/ dmbaker)

12.6 venues lost per day in 2022

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The hospitality sector lost nearly 4,600 venues in the 12 months to March 2023, but closures slowed early this year.

Hitting targets: CEO is proud of the Greene King team

Greene King celebrates 62.2% revenue boost

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Greene King delivered a strong operational performance in FY2022 despite challenging trading conditions, as strategic progress continues for the pubco.

Vote revealed: Irenic Capital Management has stated it will vote against The Restaurant Group's renumeration policy (credit: Getty/Klaus Vedfelt)

Brunning & Price disposal advice from TRG backer

By Gary Lloyd

Brunning & Price, and other “non-core assets”, should be “disposed” so its owner, The Restaurant Group, can concentrate on running Wagamama, according to shareholder Irenic Capital Management.

Community acquisitions: Punch acquires two sites

Punch snaps up 2 pubs

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Punch Pubs & Co has acquired two new community pubs to add to its 1,300-strong portfolio.

Acquisitions and revamps: Big news for Punch, Electric Star, Admiral Taverns and Hydes

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Electric Star & Punch announce new pubs

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Electric Star and Punch have added pubs to their portfolios, while Hydes and Inn Collection Group sites have reopened after revamps.

Village people: the Urban Village Pubs team celebrates victory at the Publican Awards in March 2023

The three keys to Urban Village Pubs’ success

By Gary Lloyd

Making a community a stronger place is one of the reasons why Urban Village Pubs won Best Community Pub winner at the Publican Awards, according to the pubco’s co-founder Ian Grundy.

Wait and sea: Brighton Pier Group is eyeing strategic acquisitions in the long term (credit: Getty/Ron Bambridge)

Brighton Pier Group lfl sales fall 11% in 2023

By Gary Lloyd

Like-for-like (lfl) sales for the first three months of 2023 at Brighton Pier Group were down 11% versus 2022 with 76% of the shortfall coming from its Bars division.

Call to step in: BBPA CEO Emma McClarkin says energy suppliers are being allowed to profiteer

BBPA: Ofgem is acting too slowly to save UK businesses

By Gary Lloyd

Energy regulator Ofgem is moving at “glacial pace” when it comes to disciplining suppliers and putting hundreds of thousands of businesses on the verge of collapse, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Last orders: A JDW pub in Essex has ceased trading (credit: JD Wetherspoon)

JDW pub shuts for good

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A JD Wetherspoon (JDW) pub in Essex remains on the market after closing its doors over the weekend.

Spotlight

(credit: Getty/ViewApart) Experts give comment for the Beer Report 2024 The Morning Advertiser's Lock In Podcast episode 77 S4 Ep. 14: Stars in bars! (Feat. James May, Candice Brown and more) Competition kicked off: entry for the 2024 Great British Pub Awards is now open Hunt is under way for the Great British Pub of the Year The Morning Advertiser's Lock In podcast shortlisted for award Lock In podcast shortlisted for top award

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KENT - HIGH QUALITY FAMILY FRIENDLY PUB

£ 60,000 - Leasehold

Busy location on coastal main road Extensively renovated detached public house Five trade areas (100)  Sizeable refurbished 4-5 bedroom accommodation Newly created beer garden (125) Established and popular business...

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