St Albans

England's oldest pub reopening under new management

29-Mar-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, thought to be England’s oldest pub, will be reopening its doors from midday on Monday 4 April.

‘Oldest English pub’ reduces hours after business rates burden

14-Jan-2020 By Emily Hawkins

One of the oldest pubs in England has had to reduce its hours to keep the business alive after years of struggling with the cost of business rates.

A group of publicans has united against the rates system

11-Feb-2019 By Emily Hawkins

Ahead of a parliamentary probe into the business rates system, The Morning Advertiser (MA) spoke to St Albans MP Anne Main about her work raising the concerns of the city’s publicans in Westminster.

Publican's petition to cap business rates reaches 1,000 signatures

20-Nov-2017 By Georgina Townshend

A national petition to cap business rates, set up by a publican who would need to sell 22,000 extra pints a year to cover the rise in his rateable value, has reached more than 1,000 signatures.

£350k Slug & Lettuce refurb creates 12 new jobs

19-Oct-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Stonegate Pub Company-owned Slug & Lettuce bar concept is pumping £350,000 into the renovation of its St Albans site, which will create 12 new pub jobs.

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks keeps name despite animal rights pressure

27-May-2015 By Oli Gross

Britain's oldest pub Ye Olde Fighting Cocks has no intention of changing its name despite pressure from animal rights group PETA, which wants the pub to be renamed Ye Olde Clever Cocks to reflect compassion for animals.

PEOPLE NEWS

Property director steps down from M&B

20-Apr-2015 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Paul Kotrys has stepped down as property director at Orchid, which is part of Mitchells & Butlers, to take up a role at property agency James A Baker, the Publican's Morning Advertiser's sister title M&C Report understands.

M&B in exclusive talks to buy 175 Orchid pubs

29-May-2014 By James Wallin

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has confirmed that it has in exclusive talks to buy the majority of the Orchid estate – with the rest to be placed in administration.

Pub delivery problems persist after five-week Carlsberg computer glitch

07-Apr-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Licensees are still experiencing problems receiving stock, after a Carlsberg UK computer glitch has left some pubs with delayed and incomplete deliveries for the fifth week running.

Sales grow 60% at new-look Chicago Rock Cafe

07-Feb-2014 By John Harrington

Chicago Leisure has seen sales at its new-look Chicago Rock Café grow by more than 60% since it relaunched in November, as it firms up plans to expand.

Jamie Oliver buys St Albans pub

13-Aug-2010 By Mark Stretton, M&C Report

Jamie's Italian, the fast-growing restaurant chain spearheaded by Jamie Oliver, is thought to have secured a site in St Albans, Hertfordshire, after...

Blacksmiths is back on tap

18-Sep-2009 By Roger Protz

Imagine my delight when discovering more ales in St Albans, says Roger Protz.

Life through a distorting lens

20-Aug-2009 By Roger Protz

The BBC's Panorama programme on Oldham's drinking scene was no better than tabloid television, says Roger Protz.

St Albans licensee defeats glass ban

23-Sep-2008 By John Harrington

A blanket ban on glass at a Hertfordshire bar has been overturned at magistrates. The result has been seen as a victory against calls for so-called...

Licensee faces High Court noise battle

17-Jan-2008 By Joe Lutrario joe.lutrario@william-reed.co.uk

A St Albans licensee is facing a £30,000 legal bill in a High Court battle with his council over complaints about customers talking in his beer...

Competition report is divorced from reality

08-Nov-2007

London Road in St Albans, Hertfordshire, leads travellers from the south to the heart of the city, with its magnificent Norman cathedral, and a Roman...

THE AGENTS

04-Jan-2007

Alan Crowest FAVLP, MBII, MNAEA managing director Britannia Business Sales It was a busy end to last year for Britannia Business Sales, with three...

It's nice to have the last laugh - Roger Protz

05-Oct-2006 By Roger Protz

There's an old Gershwin song called "They All Laughed" that contains such lines as: "They all laughed at Christopher Columbus when he said the world...

That's Champion

15-Dec-2005

Kim Champion's St Albans pub has become a destination venue. But, as Sue Nowak discovered, despite winning many awards the chef still has her sights...

Watch out for TV scams hosts told

30-Sep-2004

by John Harrington Licensees are being warned to steer clear of an illegal satellite TV deal that allows pubs to screen live Premiership Football on...

PubChef Awards 2005 - Food from Britain

01-Sep-2004 By Max Gosney

Food from Britain is the second category cook-off in the PubChef awards. Our five finalists focus on using quality British regional produce. Max...

Blight of faceless profiteers

11-Sep-2003

This is about pubs in St Albans in Hertfordshire. Don't turn the page, because it's probably happening to the pubs where you live. When Whitbread...

Cruel to be kind­

06-Mar-2003

I was pleased to read John Sands' words of praise for Camra's first National Pubs Week (Morning Advertiser "My Shout" 27 February). It is reassuring...

Locals win fight to keep Wicked Lady

31-Oct-2002

Noble House has decided to retain the name of a pub in Hertfordshire after a vociferous local campaign. The company had planned to change the name of...