Pubs

Future looks bright as pub closures slow

10-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

For so long in the industry we have been told pubs are closing at an alarming rate. Yes, closures are continuing but the rate is slowing and multiple operators are spotting opportunities to open more sites.

The best-laid plans - what more can be done to protect pubs?

20-Jan-2017 By Liam Coleman

All too often pubs close down and are turned into houses and shops, so are beloved and valued community pubs being given enough protection by legislation? 

Why Dry January is no longer a period of doom and gloom

19-Jan-2017 By Sara Hussein

The emptiness of a pub in January after a hectic Christmas can strike fear into the heart of any licensee but perhaps this month has the potential to be as fruitful as any other when pubs make the most of the opportunities

Property

Five out of every six pubs sold in 2016 remained as pubs

13-Jan-2017 By Liam Coleman

Christie & Co has reported that 83% of pubs sold in 2016 remained as pubs – with only 6% being converted into houses.

Sport

How pubs can kick off a winning 2017

12-Jan-2017 By Liam Coleman

Both sports fans and licensees can look forward to a bumper 2017 as millions continue to choose the atmosphere of a pub to enjoy the sporting action, but what are the sports that got people into pubs in 2016 and how can licensees maximise those events...

All-day trading

How pubs are changing to widen their appeal

11-Jan-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

With consumers turning away in droves from traditional pub offers at traditional times, it is little wonder that the UK’s pub closure rate still stands at around 21 casualties a week. For some pubs the remedy is to open up under-used space for daytime...

Fruit machines

BBPA calls for increased stakes and prizes for pub fruit machines

02-Dec-2016 By Michelle Perrett

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) is calling for a rise in fruit machine stakes and prizes, and for contactless payments to be allowed to help pubs meet consumer demands.  

Wandsworth

Analysis: Wandsworth's pub protection should set a precedent

02-Sep-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Wandsworth Council has taken the first new step in a bid to stop pubs being changed from their original use without council approval. Here, we look at what the move means and whether it is the silver bullet needed to save pubs. Nikkie Sutton reports.

Interview

"I’ve still got a great deal of energy for the role": BBPA's Brigid Simmonds

05-Aug-2016 By Mike Berry

She’s been in post since 2009, but for BBPA boss Brigid Simmonds there is no seven-year itch and still plenty of enthusiasm for a job which, at times, has seen her subjected to levels of abuse that would see most people ducking for cover. Mike Berry reports

Duncan Garrood

Punch to sell 400 pubs for 'capital investments'

19-Jul-2016 By Oli Gross

Punch expects to sell 400 pubs over the next four years, with sites likely to be sold ‘pub by pub’, the pubco’s chief executive Duncan Garrood has told The Morning Advertiser.

Pub history

Smoking bans, supermarkets and the recession: how pubs overcame the hardest decade in the trade's history

12-Jul-2016 By Phil Mellows

By the end of the first decade of the new century, it was being called ‘the perfect storm’, a convergence of challenges that made it one of the toughest periods the licensed trade had ever experienced.

Top tips for cutting energy bills in your pub

06-May-2016 By Emily Sutherland

Energy costs are a growing concern for pub operators. According to Punch chief executive Duncan Garrood, one of the questions the pubco is most regularly asked is how tenants can cut their energy costs and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) says...

Mintel research

More than half of Brits went to pub in January

21-Apr-2016 By Chris Wisson

The Publican’s Morning Advertiser has partnered with market analysts Mintel to provide insight from its new leisure tracker, which covers consumers’ pub visiting habits. Senior analyst Chris Wisson examines the latest findings.

CAMRA calls for ACV protections to apply to all pubs

12-Apr-2016 By Oli Gross

The Campaign for Real Ale has called for planning protections given to assets of community value (ACV) to apply to all pubs, after latest figures showed 1,500 venues now hold the status.

JD Wetherspoon like-for-like sales up 3.7%

11-Mar-2016 By Oli Gross

JD Wetherspoon has said like-for-like sales in the six weeks to 6 March were up 3.7%, following a 2.9% rise in the first half of the year.

On-trade v off-trade

Analysis: Are supermarkets killing pubs?

03-Mar-2016 By Oli Gross

Supermarkets are able to sell alcohol at a price impossible for pubs to compete with. Ahead of this month’s Budget, what can be done to close the price gap? Oli Gross investigates.

My shout

"Publicans are working harder than ever"...Star Pubs MD, Lawson Mountstevens

01-Mar-2016 By Lawson Mountstevens

There have never been more pressures on the great British pub.

Pubco 'favouritism'

'Surviving by the skin of my teeth' thanks to rivals from own pubco

24-Feb-2016 By Oli Gross

Licensees have hit out against the behaviour of their pubcos, claiming their actions are putting pubs at risk.

Sponsored: Pizza Report

Sponsored - 10 tips to a successful pizza offer in your pub

09-Feb-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Italian classics have been a big part of the UK’s food scene for decades, but now more pubs are beginning to cash in on pizzas with rising success. Here are 10 things you should consider before launching your offer.

Industry predictions for 2016

19-Jan-2016 By PMA editorial

A selection of industry figures make their predictions for 2016. Read on to find out what they think the year ahead has in store for us.

VisitEngland launches new accreditation schemes for pubs

11-Dec-2015 By Emily Sutherland

VisitEngland has joined forces with the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA)  to launch a new quality assurance scheme for pubs.

Pubs minister

Pubs minister Marcus Jones: Let's spend Christmas down the pub...

08-Dec-2015 By Marcus Jones

When you think of Christmas what springs to mind? For me, it’s a welcome opportunity to spend time with family and friends and to think back on the year that’s been. And where better to catch up with family and old friends than the hub of so many communities...

Research

Exclusive: Almost 60% of adults eating out in pubs once a month

03-Dec-2015 By Chris Wisson

The PMA has partnered with market researcher Mintel to provide insight from its new leisure tracker, which covers pub visiting habits. Senior analyst Chris Wisson reveals more.

City news

Marston’s profits up 10%

26-Nov-2015 By MC Allegra FS

Marston’s has reported like-for-like sales in its Destination & Premium arm up 1.8% for the year to 3 October.

City news

Young's reports 10.3% growth in pre-tax profits

12-Nov-2015 By MC Allegra FS

Young’s has reported 10.3% growth in pre-tax profits at £20.3m with revenue growth of 8.3% in what it called a “very strong performance” for the 26 weeks to 28 September 2016.

Exclusive

ACV roundtable: Government announces probe into issue

12-Nov-2015 By Emily Sutherland

The Department for Communities & Local Government will launch a consultation into assets of community value legislation before the end of the year, the Publican's Morning Advertiser understands at its exclusive ACV roundtable.

Future Pub

Pub of the Future: Marston's completes first phase of project

27-Oct-2015 By Ruth Williams, M&C Allegra

Marston’s has completed its year-long project to find out how to attract young people as regular pub goers and has said the results of the panel will be incorporated into its pubs.

Property

It's best to embrace change in the pub industry

23-Oct-2015 By Barry Gillham

The licensed trade might appear to be forever switching lanes but, as Barry Gillham finds after 50 years in the business, it is better to embrace change than fight it.

Pubs miss out on free-from food market

13-Oct-2015 By Nicholas Robinson

Big pub chains are failing to cater for thousands of UK consumers looking for free-from food options on menus, an expert in the field has claimed.

Pub closure statistics

Suburban pubs hit hardest by closures with 17 lost a week

08-Oct-2015 By Oli Gross

Suburban pubs are being hit hardest by closures, making up more than half of pubs lost, while high streets are less affected.

JDW reports 3.3% increase in sales

11-Sep-2015 By Oli Gross

JD Wetherspoon has reported a 3.3% increase in like-for-like sales for the 52 weeks to 26 July, with revenue up 7.4% to £1.51bn, but pre-tax profit down 2% to £77.8m.

NewRiver deal

Punch sell-off: "The game of pass-the-pub parcel goes on"- Protz on pubs in peril

08-Sep-2015 By Roger Protz

Even with the best efforts of councils and ginger groups, old fashioned boozers are still facing an uncertain future

Technology

Plug in - or get switched off

08-Jun-2015 By James Evison

Pubs are beginning to embrace technology but they must go further to meet customers' expectations and identify the areas where they are still lagging behind. James Evison reports.

Pubs code

Enterprise: The system will work...for the pubs that remain

20-May-2015 By Ed Bedington

Enterprise's radical future strategy reveals the consequences of the pubs code.

Editorial

Let's not misuse ACVs

30-Apr-2015 By Ed Bedington

There seems to be a growing sense of disquiet when it comes to recent activity in the area of Assets of Community Value (ACV).

Cock and Seaman owner hits back at critics of pub's risque new name

30-Apr-2015 By Michelle Perrett

The owner of a pub which has been criticised on social media for its risque new name has told people not to forget that “pubs are meant to be fun places”.

Legislation

Licensees outraged by ACV status listing

29-Apr-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Backlash mounts over pubs recorded as ACVs.

Operator news

Dorbiere to invest £1m in refurbs

21-Apr-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Dorbiere — the operator of pubs across the Midlands and Northern England — is investing £1m in refurbishing its existing estate.

Election special

Government policy: Looking back at the last 5 years for pubs

08-Apr-2015 By Phil Mellows

A lot has happened to the pub industry during the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition Government. Phil Mellows looks at the impact of these events and what’s likely to come.

Election Special

Q&A with Tory pubs minister Kris Hopkins and shadow Labour minister Toby Perkins

08-Apr-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Ellie Bothwell spoke to the Conservative Community Pubs Minister Kris Hopkins and his Labour counterpart Toby Perkins.

The Big Interview: Simon Emeny, Fuller's

03-Mar-2015 By Mike Berry

Fuller’s may be defined by its beers, but it is its food that is increasingly attracting customers to its pubs and spurring the company to set the pace for change in an industry that is currently shaking off the shackles of financial stagnation. Mike...

Brakspear disposed of 10% of estate last year

05-Feb-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies has revealed that the company disposed of around 10% of its estate last year — and is now in a position to grow both its tenanted and managed divisions.

How the Government thinks theatres, nightclubs and launderettes are more important than pubs

02-Feb-2015 By Greg Mulholland

Up and down the country, communities are up in arms at the fact that their local pub as been or is going to be turned into a supermarket and that they do not even have the right to object to the council. Constituents who approach their councillors or...

News analysis

Unintended consequences of new pub planning laws

30-Jan-2015 By Mike Berry

Beware of the law of unintended consequences. Community pubs minister Kris Hopkins has announced the Government intends to introduce legislation meaning planning permission would be required to change the use of or demolish a pub listed as an asset of...

Government to strengthen planning law for ACV-listed pubs

26-Jan-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

The Government has said it intends to introduce legislation meaning planning permission would be required to change the use of or demolish a pub listed as an asset of community value (ACV).

MPs vote against bid to tighten pub planning laws

26-Jan-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

A Parliamentary vote to stop pubs being converted or demolished without planning permission has been narrowly defeated.

MPs seek to end pub planning rights ‘scandal’

22-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

MPs from the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group have tabled an amendment to the Infrastructure Bill, seeking to “end the scandal” of pubs being demolished or turned into supermarkets without planning permission.

Pub's crystal ball: Industry predictions for 2015

13-Jan-2015 By James Evison

Guessing what the future holds is not an easy task, so the Publican's Morning Advertiser asked industry leaders for their opinions.

Is the grass greener on the other side?

10-Dec-2014 By Robert Sayles

There’s been a fair bit of scaremongering in the press of late with regard to MRO (market rent only). If we believe the hyperbole then dire consequences lie ahead. Pubco investment will dry up, jobs will be lost and many more pubs will disappear from...

Don’t idealise the end of the pub tie

03-Dec-2014 By Paul Tallentyre

Many pitfalls await tenants and pubcos if the proposed changes to the pubs code are implemented, warns Paul Tallentyre, pubs and bars director at Davis Coffer Lyons