Punch Taverns

Heineken: ‘we will find buyers for 30 pubs’ as part of Punch deal

21-Aug-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Heineken has committed to find “viable buyers” for the 30 pubs it proposes to sell as part of its deal to purchase 1,900 Punch pubs, The Morning Advertiser has learned.

'Worlds biggest' team darts tournament won by Durham pub

27-Oct-2015 By Oli Gross

The 'biggest darts team competition in the world' concluded this weekend with Durham pub The Ash Tree claiming the coveted title.

NewRiver set to complete first pub development by December

21-Oct-2015 By MC Allegra FS

NewRiver Retail has now submitted 48 planning applications to develop surplus land across its pub estate.

Events

Dates for the diary

05-Oct-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Time to get your diary out - a number of key events for multiple site operators will take place through October and November. 

Punch

Punch tenant calls for more pubco support

14-Sep-2015 By Emily Sutherland

A Punch Taverns tenant has urged pub companies to provide more support after falling behind with rent payments and being asked to leave her pub after seven years.

NewRiver deal

Punch sell-off: Discarded Liverpool pub approved ACV

08-Sep-2015 By Oli Gross

A Liverpool pub discarded by Punch Taverns in its sell-off to NewRiver Retail has reacted swiftly to ensure the pub is protected as an Asset of Community Value.

City news

Punch agrees sale of Matthew Clark stake to Conviviality

08-Sep-2015 By Ruth Williams, MC Allegra FS

Punch Taverns has agreed to sell its 50% shareholding in drinks supplier Matthew Clark to Conviviality Brands, the Bargain Booze operator, for £100.7m.

People News

Andy Slee departs Punch Taverns

31-Jul-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Allegra Foodservice

Punch Taverns has announced that external affairs and central operations director Andy Slee is leaving after almost five years with the company.

City News

Greene King completes Spirit acquisition

24-Jun-2015 By Mark Wingett, M&C Allegra

Greene King has officially completed the £774m acquisition of Spirit Pub Company to create what is described as “a real force to be reckoned with”.

Property

North-west pub market finally back on right path

24-Apr-2015 By David Sutcliffe, Fleurets

After a period of pub disposals and a weak property market, there are some signs of recovery in the North-west pub property market.

Operator news

Punch delivers profits

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

Punch Taverns has reported a 0.5% rise in like-for-like income in its core estate for the 28 weeks to 7 March 2015 and EBITDA down from £108m for the period last year to £105m this year.

Punch unveils roadshow dates

02-Apr-2015 By Helen Gilbert

Punch Taverns has unveiled the dates and venues for its 12th annual roadshow.

Tenant slams Punch for lack of support

04-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

A Punch Taverns tenant has hit out at the lack of support from the pub company six months after his outlet was named Best Partnership Pub in the North West at the Great British Pub Awards.

Punch plans to expand Mighty Local model

03-Feb-2015 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Punch Taverns believes there is potential to convert “hundreds” of its sites — both across its core and turnaround estate — to its fledgling wet-led community local model, Mighty Local, subject to clarity on the market rent only option (MRO), the Publican's...

Ex-Punch employee loses unfair dismissal claim

14-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

A former employee of Punch Taverns has lost a tribunal case, in which he had accused the pub company of unfair dismissal and detriment following whistle blowing.

More operators sign up to Try January

23-Dec-2014 By Jessica Mason

Try January, the campaign that calls on pubs and bars to reclaim January and challenge people to try new drinks and dishes and make the month more inspiring and experimental, has gathered further momentum with more operators, including Punch Taverns,...

Punch roadshow success 'reflects improving relationship with licensees’

12-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch Taverns said its 2014 nationwide roadshow has been the most successful tour in their 11-year history, after more than 2,300 licensees attended the event.

Pubcos say statutory code 'seeks to abolish the tie by the back door'

23-Oct-2014 By James Wallin

Pubcos have ended their silence on the Government’s statutory code proposals, branding them potentially illegal and saying they would create “uncertainty and disruption” across the sector.

Punch Taverns receives final approval for restructuring

07-Oct-2014 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Punch Taverns has completed the final hurdle for its restructure, with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) approving the move today.

Finalists announced for BBPA awards 2014

15-Sep-2014 By James Wallin

The British Beer & Pub Association has announced the shortlist for its annual awards.

Tenant accuses Punch of keeping him in the dark on takeover

10-Sep-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A tenant has hit out at Punch Taverns for selling the freehold of his pub to developers without informing him or giving him the opportunity to buy it.

Punch restructure edges closer

05-Sep-2014 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Punch Taverns’ restructure has edged closer after more creditors gave their backing to its proposals.

Punch tenants still worried about their pubs' futures

01-Jul-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch tenants are still concerned about the future of their pubs, despite bondholders last week voting in favour of the pubco’s restructuring proposals.

Punch re-launches tenants training programme

11-Jun-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch Taverns has re-launched its tenants training programme, after claiming new licensees often “underestimate” the expertise they need to run a successful pub.

Punch offers licensees fruit machine reports

05-Jun-2014 By Helen Gilbert

Punch Taverns has launched a facility that will allow licensees to see how much profit they are making from fruit machines in their pubs.

Punch Taverns reports income growth and says debt talks continue

15-Apr-2014 By John Harrington

Punch Taverns today reported a 1.4% rise in like-for-like net income across its core estate for the last six months and said talks over its debt restructure continue.

Punch asks creditors to waive covenant in bid to avoid default

07-Apr-2014 By John Harrington

Punch Taverns has called a meeting with bondholders to vote on a request to waive its debt covenant to “avoid a near-term default” on its securitisations.

Punch agrees to sell Red Lion in Sidbury to community

28-Mar-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

Campaigners hoping to save a Devonshire village pub have been handed a lifeline after Punch Taverns agreed to sell the property to a community enterprise group.

Punch Taverns puzzled by senior Lib Dems refusal to meet

20-Mar-2014 By Rob Willock

Punch Taverns has expressed frustration that its efforts to engage with Liberal Democrat politicians involved in the Government’s consultation on pubco regulation have gone unanswered.

Punch demands Cable meeting after 'gone bust' gaffe

03-Mar-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch Taverns chief Stephen Billingham has written to Vince Cable demanding a meeting after the business secretary’s gaffe last week.

10 key issues for pubs in 2014

03-Mar-2014 By Phil Mellows

Phil Mellows picks out 10 key issues that could help determine the fortunes of Britain’s pubs this year, including the proposed statutory code, turmoil at Punch Taverns and the impact of the recent storms on trade.

Pubco founders 'disregard plight of tenants' says Tim Martin

24-Feb-2014 By Rob Willock

The founders of the big tenanted pubcos remain less concerned about the plight of pub tenants than about their own financial wellbeing, according to Tim Martin.

No cast-iron reassurances over deposits for Punch tenants

13-Feb-2014 By Rob Willock

Politicians usually duck hypothetical questions. But in this instance a politician has asked one, and demanded an answer.

Punch tenants angry over 'surprise' stock audits

30-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch Taverns tenants have expressed their anger after the pub company recruited a third party agency to carry out surprise stock audits in its pubs, as part of a fresh crackdown on licensees buying outside the tie.

Punch restructure proposals rejected by ABI

27-Jan-2014 By Mark Wingett

A group representing Punch Taverns noteholders has said it’s unable to support the pub company’s plans for its debt restructure.

Are you ‘really’ listening?

22-Jan-2014 By Paul Pavli

In the past I have questioned whether licensees are really listening to, and engaging with, customers by creating relevant marketing collateral and promotional activities. This time I want to talk about customer feedback and how (or if) staff, managers...

Punch announces full restructure proposal

15-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Punch Taverns, the tenanted and leased pub operator, has announced the full terms of its debt restructuring proposal and said that failure to effect the restructure would be expected to lead to a default in the near-term.

Punch launches new advice line for licensees

21-Nov-2013 By Lewis Brown

A free 24/7 legal advice line has been set up by Punch Taverns for its licensees.

Punch wins National Business Award

14-Nov-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch Taverns was announced 'Business Enabler of the Year' at the National Business Awards in London earlier this week.

Punch launches new wine club

30-Oct-2013 By Helen Gilbert

Punch Taverns has launched a new wine club following feedback from partner forums.

Statutory Code: Mulholland accuses pubcos of "The Great British Pubco Scam”

15-Oct-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Save the Pub Group chairman and MP Greg Mulholland has accused pubcos of "The Great British Pubco Scam”  in an adjournment debate in the House of Commons yesterday evening.

Punch Taverns on course to reach area manager qualification target

10-Oct-2013 By Noli Dinkovski

Punch Taverns is “on track” to have all of its area managers pass an industry-recognised qualification in hospitality management, after it revealed more than half had already qualified.

Fair Deal for Your Local: Enterprise and Punch disposed of a third of pubs

25-Sep-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Enterprise Inns and Punch Taverns collectively disposed of more than 5,000 (33.24%) pubs between 2008 and 2012 – that’s the figures from the Fair Deal for Your Local (FDFYL) campaign.

Video: TV ad debuts for new soft drink Zeo

30-Jul-2013 By Robyn Black

Ambitious new drinks company Freedrinks is preparing to unveil its £4.2m ad campaign for its soft drink brand Zeo next week.

Perceptions Group calls for East Midlands businesses to join careers programme

23-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Perceptions, the nationwide pub and bar careers programme, targeted East Midlands last week, to encourage businesses with career opportunities in the area to join the voluntary group.

Punch reveals roadshow details

19-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch Taverns has revealed the dates and venues for its 10th annual roadshow event.

Grinning Rat tenant calls Punch 'ridiculous' after losing eviction legal battle

17-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

A tenant who has been forced to leave his Ipswich pub after unsuccessful legal action has called Punch Taverns “ridiculous” and said he was making profits.

Punch Taverns to review Buying Club product range

08-Jun-2013 By Helen Gilbert

Punch Taverns has revealed plans to review the online product range provided on its Buying Club website.

Punch Taverns helps licensees with pub marketing

31-May-2013 By John Harrington

Punch Taverns, the tenanted and leased pub operator, is to focus on helping its pubs improve their marketing by issuing all its licensees with a CD featuring marketing advice along with a copy of the quarterly guide Marketing Your Pub.

Marston's, JD Wetherspoon, Punch Taverns and Stonegate respond to Hartlepool EMRO consultation

30-Apr-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Pub companies Marston's, JD Wetherspoon (JDW), Punch Taverns and Stonegate have all made representations against Hartlepool Borough Council's decision to introduce restrictions to pub opening hours.