United Kingdom

House of Lords report calls for introduction of minimum unit pricing

06-Mar-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

The House of Lords has recommended tighter regulation on the consumption of alcohol, including introducing minimum unit pricing, a variable tax rate in line with alcoholic strength and mandatory rules on alcohol labelling.

Foreign Satellite

Premier League takes action against Scottish pubs over illegal broadcasts

05-Mar-2015 By Mike Berry

The Premier League has commenced legal action against a number of Scottish pubs which have made unauthorised foreign broadcasts of its matches.

DEFRA recognises "Food Stars" for contributions to UK economy

02-Mar-2015 By Daniel Woolfson

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has recognised 50 “Food Stars” it considers to have made worthwhile contributions to the UK’s economy.

Swansea licensee granted appeal over Premier League copyright case

16-Feb-2015 By Mike Berry

A Swansea pub licensee fined £65,000 for breaching copyright law by showing Premier League football using a foreign satellite card has been given permission to appeal the judgment.

BBPA launches website to strengthen campaign for beer duty cut

09-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has launched a website providing new data on the positive impact of beer and pubs on jobs and the local economy, to make a compelling case for a third cut in beer duty in the Budget.

Liberation Group acquires Butcombe Brewery

06-Jan-2015 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Liberation Group, the Channel Islands-based brewer and pub operator, has secured a foothold on the mainland with the acquisition of Butcombe Brewery, the Somerset-based brewer and pub operator.

Brian O'Driscoll to promote Coca-Cola's Rugby World Cup 2015 tie-up

17-Dec-2014 By Robyn Black

Irish rugby hero Brian O’Driscoll is to front a new campaign for Coca-Cola as part of its deal to sponsor next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Andrew Griffiths MP calls for beer duty cut hat-trick

16-Dec-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

All Party Parliamentary Beer Group chairman Andrew Griffiths MP has urged the Government to consider a further cut in beer duty in the 2015 Budget.

JD Wetherspoon cleans up at toilet awards

16-Dec-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

JD Wetherspoon has won ten accolades at the Loo of the Year Awards 2014.

Premier League football: Illegal pub satellite box supplier jailed

08-Dec-2014 By Mike Berry

A man who sold illegal satellite boxes to pubs that facilitated unauthorised broadcasting of Premier League football has been jailed for nine months.

Northern Ireland Executive to consult on minimum pricing

04-Dec-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

The Northern Ireland Executive has announced it will proceed with an Alcohol Minimum Unit Pricing policy.

Nicki Minaj to launch MYX Fusions in the UK

01-Dec-2014 By Robyn Black

Pop star Nicki Minaj is to launch her sparkling wine and fruit juice brand, MYX Fusions Moscato, in the UK.

Anglian Country Inns wins Gastropub of the Year award

19-Nov-2014 By Jo Bruce

Anglian Country Inns' site the Fox at Willian has been announced as Gastro Pub of the Year for England in the inaugural Food Awards England and Wales 2014.

Britvic revamps mixers range

19-Nov-2014 By Robyn Black

Britvic has unveiled a new look for its classic juices and mixers range.

Annual beer sales up but on-trade slides

06-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Off-trade beer sales continued to drive growth as the on-trade slipped 0.7%, according to the British Beer & Pub Association’s Quarter 3 Beer Barometer.

WSTA honours George Osborne for duty cuts

30-Oct-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has formally thanked Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander for their support in abolishing the alcohol duty escalator in the 2014 Budget.

WSTA chief urges pubs to grasp spirits opportunity

23-Oct-2014 By Mike Berry

Spirits are part of the answer to a vibrant and profitable on-trade, yet many pubs are missing out on their potential, according to Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

A 2% cut in duty is not 'asking for the world,' says WSTA chief

18-Sep-2014 By Robyn Black

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is reaching out to pubs and bars to help achieve a 2% cut in duty in the next budget.

Stuart Barnes says pubs can benefit from boost of Rugby World Cup

03-Sep-2014 By James Wallin

Rugby commentator Stuart Barnes has said the World Cup presents a great opportunity for the country’s pubs.

New marketing campaign for Welsh lamb

21-Aug-2014 By Elliot Kuruvita

A new campaign from Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) will launch in September to promote Welsh lamb.

Pubs showing Commonwealth Games warned to be wary of red tape

24-Jul-2014 By James Wallin

Pubs could find themselves in “murky legal waters” if they advertise themselves as a venue to watch the Commonwealth games, a law firm has warned.

VIDEO: SA Brain's team cycle 150 miles across Wales with cask of Tour de France ale

11-Jul-2014 By James Wallin

A team from Welsh brewer and pub operator SA Brain are celebrating after cycling a cask of their Tour de France themed ale 150 miles.

Mexican soda brand launches in UK

09-Jul-2014 By Robyn Black

Mexican soda brand, Jarritos, is set for the UK, as it looks to cash in on the growth in Mexican food.

Brains staff to transport cask of ale 150 miles by bicycle

27-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

A team from S.A Brain and Co are celebrating the Tour De France by cycling 150 miles across Wales to deliver a cask of their current seasonal ale.

CAMRA launches search for Britain's most historic clubs

17-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has launched its search for Britain’s best historic clubs.

Hawthorn Leisure buys 88 R&L pubs

04-Jun-2014 By Mark Wingett

Hawthorn Leisure, the group set up with the acquisition of 275 pubs from Greene King, has announced the acquisition of 88 tenanted and leased pubs from R&L, the pub portfolio formerly part of property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz’s property empire in a...

Wales to get licensing hours extension for World Cup

30-May-2014 By James Wallin

The Home Office has bowed to pressure to allow Welsh pubs to open later to screen England’s World Cup matches.

Mitchells & Butlers to open Toby Carvery training academy

22-May-2014 By John Harrington

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is to open its national training academy for Toby Carvery at a disused play area in a York pub, reports the York Press.

TOWIE stars to tour pubs as part of WKD drive

19-May-2014 By Robyn Black

Stars of The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE) will be appearing in 30 pubs across the UK this summer, as part of a drive for WKD.

Punch hosts World Cup workshops

08-May-2014 By Ruth Williams

Punch Taverns is inviting its tenants to join one of 47 workshops across the UK to ensure its licensees get the most out of the World Cup.

World Cup tips for pubs - FREE download

08-May-2014 By Nigel Huddleston & Adrian Tierney-Jones

Publicans should make the most of the money-spinning opportunity afforded by the World Cup, with fans likely to head to the pub to watch matches. As The Publican's Morning Advertiser discovers, it’s time for pubs to cash in.

Government confirms Welsh pubs won't get World Cup licensing extension

02-May-2014 By James Wallin

The Government has refused to back down on its decision to only allow licensing extensions to English pubs during the World Cup.

Star of US TV's Storage Hunters takes up Hobgoblin's ale challenge

30-Apr-2014 By Robyn Black

Storage Hunters star, Jesse McClure, is set to visit the Wychwood Brewery, after the brewery issued a challenge to the lager fan on Twitter.

Milton Keynes facing second late-night levy proposal

24-Apr-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

Milton Keynes could be the first town in the UK to face a second late-night levy proposal, after the first was narrowly rejected by its licensing committee last October.

Expansion planned for Chilli White

15-Apr-2014 By John Harrington

The Drinks Group, a vehicle formed out of remains of the former Yellowhammer estate, is looking to add further sites under its Chilli White restaurant and bar brand.

Freshgro launches purple and white Chantenay carrots

06-Apr-2014 By Lesley Foottit

Nottinghamshire farming co-operative Freshgro has developed white and purple Chantenay carrots.

Cheltenham publicans begin paying late-night levy today

01-Apr-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Cheltenham licensees will begin paying a late-night levy today.

Low calorie Champagne launches

31-Mar-2014 By Robyn Black

A low calorie Champagne has been launched ahead of the summer.

NEW PRODUCTS

Bagged cock scratchings launched

07-Mar-2014 By Lesley Foottit

New kid on the bar snack scene chicken scratchings are now available as a bagged snack.

Pubs minister Brandon Lewis urges authorities and MPs to use ACV powers

26-Feb-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Community pubs minister Brandon Lewis has issued a rallying cry for local authorities and MPs to continue to use their powers to help list pubs as assets of community value.

BBPA encourages pubs to get involved in English Tourism Week

26-Feb-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) is encouraging pubs to make the most of English Tourism Week (ETW), which begins at the end of March.

Picture gallery: Flood-hit pubs count the cost

14-Feb-2014 By Mike Berry

Flood-stricken pubs are working around the clock to keep their doors open as the UK continues to be battered by heavy rain and high winds.

BBPA report strengthens case for Budget beer duty freeze

06-Feb-2014 By Michelle Perrett

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the Government to freeze beer duty after new research revealed 900,000 jobs are dependent on the beer and pub sector.

High Court rules Swansea licensee broke copyright law with Premier League football screening

31-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

The High Court has ruled a pub licensee in Swansea broke copyright law by broadcasting Premier League football using a foreign satellite card, which was for private use only.

UK needs to lose further 1,000 pubs, warns top property agent

22-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The pub industry needs to lose another 1,000 sites within the next couple of years to achieve a “healthy” marketplace — that’s according to Christie+Co director Neil Morgan.

Beer Group chairman MP Andrew Griffiths defends undue influence claims over minimum pricing

08-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

The chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) MP Andrew Griffiths has defended the brewing industry against accusations from the British Medical Journal (BMJ) that it had an undue influence on the Government over minimum pricing.

Food Standards Agency investigates food origin in the UK

08-Jan-2014 By Lesley Foottit

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is carrying out a study looking at the geographic origin of foods that producers claim are from the UK.

BrewDog fundraising drive secures almost 10,000 investors

03-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Almost 10,000 people invested in the latest £4.25m fundraising drive from BrewDog, the company has said.

BBPA agrees partnership with Pubs of Ulster

18-Dec-2013 By Michelle Perrett

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has signed a partnership deal with the Northern Ireland trade association Pubs of Ulster. 

Wetherspoon scoops best loo awards

10-Dec-2013 By Lewis Brown

It’s official, Wetherspoon has the best pub loos in the UK.