Wales

Opinion

‘A problem shared is a problem halved’: the pub has always been a place for talking

14-May-2021 By Sarah John, director, Boss Brewing

I don’t know about you, but for me there’s something poetic about Mental Health Awareness Month coinciding with the reopening of pubs across the UK.

Retiring Welsh operators to give pub away in raffle

14-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

The husband-and-wife team behind the Raglan Arms in Llandenny, Monmouthshire, have opted to raffle off their fully-stocked pub as they retire from the industry.

Grants of up to £25k available for Welsh pubs

13-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Welsh Government has announced a fresh tranche of financial support for pubs and suppliers.

City Pub Group ‘significantly improved over the past year’ despite 57% revenue drop

11-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

Despite pandemic restrictions hitting its revenue for £34.2m in the 52 weeks ended 27 December 2020, City Pub Group is in an ‘excellent position’ as the country reopens according to its executive chairman.

In association with Heineken

UEFA EURO 2020™: ‘A massive opportunity to claw back some of the money we've lost’

10-May-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

Having been side-lined for the best part of a year, pub operators from England, Scotland and Wales see this summer’s UEFA EURO 2020™ as a potential gamechanger. Here, four operators discuss their tournament tactics.

MA’s review of the week

‘Pubs part of the problem’ mindset needs serious reassessment

07-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with the award-winning operator of the Lion in Treorchy to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

Scottish and Welsh pubs reopen despite 'nonsense' rules

26-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs in Wales and Scotland are allowed to reopen for outdoor service today (Monday 26 April) after months of shutdown.

lockdown live

• LIVE: Gov keen to scrap 1m social distancing rule

26-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Coronavirus latest: the Prime Minister is keen to lift social distancing rules for hospitality venues next month, it has been reported

Welsh pubs to open inside alongside English counterparts

23-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Welsh pubs and bars will be able to open indoors from 17 May after low Covid incidence, the First Minister has said.

‘Bring forward reopening,’ Welsh Government urged

16-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Indoor hospitality in Wales should reopen alongside trade in England and Scotland next month, one industry body has suggested.

Opinion

We need to talk about cask…

12-Apr-2021 By Sarah John, director, Boss Brewing

Like so many of us in this industry, I share in the hope that is being pinned on Monday 12 April – for England at least, if not for my home country of Wales.

Welsh Government hit with legal challenge over 'absence of facts'

08-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

A legal challenge has been launched against the Welsh Government over its lack of clarity on the reopening of indoor hospitality.

Welsh pubs to reopen indoors 'before end of May'

01-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs in Wales will be able to reopen outdoors from Monday 26 April while it is hoped indoor hospitality will reopen before the end of May.

Welsh pubs will 'fall at final hurdle' without more support

31-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub operators in Wales have urged the First Minister to issue additional grant support, similar to what has been offered to English and Scottish businesses.

Welsh pubs in 'state of limbo' without reopening timeframe

24-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Welsh pub operators have described feeling left in the dark without sector reopening dates.

No reopening date for Welsh pubs yet

12-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The First Minister for Wales refused to provide a reopening date for pubs but announced further grant support for closed businesses.

Opinion

‘Colourful history’ of female brewers inspired me

08-Mar-2021 By Sarah John, director, Boss Brewing

Did you know the first ever brewers were women?

Opinion

Six Nations usually ‘the saving grace of the cold, winter months’ for pubs

09-Feb-2021 By Sarah John, director, Boss Brewing

As I settled on the sofa last weekend to watch the opening of the Six Nations, I couldn’t help but feel incredibly deflated.

Brains brewery may be relocated to England

06-Jan-2021 By MCA Insight

Brains beer may be relocated to England due to a failure to find a buyer for the iconic Welsh brewery business, ITV News reports.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

Hugo Boss battle ‘a great source of empowerment and determination’

28-Dec-2020 By Sarah John, director, Boss Brewing

While 2020 has been punctuated by restrictions, setbacks, tragedy and loss according to Boss Brewery director Sarah John, there have also been positive moments she will look back on fondly.

Marston’s takes on SA Brain’s 156-strong pub stable

23-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Pub company Marston’s has announced it will operate SA Brain’s portfolio of 156 pubs in Wales on a combination of leased and management contract arrangements, safeguarding 1,300 jobs.

Welsh pubs close again under another lockdown

16-Dec-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

New lockdown measures have been enforced in Wales, including the closure of pubs, later this month (December), First Minister Mark Drakeford announced.

'Pubs matter' is message of new campaign

14-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pubgoers have been urged to share why their local is close to their heart on social media in a bid to highlight the plight of the sector.

Welsh Government ‘actively considering’ further coronavirus measures

07-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Wales’ health minister has warned further restrictions could be on the horizon after Christmas as the country records rising virus cases.

Financial support for Welsh pubs to outstrip English and Scottish counterparts several times over

04-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

The average Welsh pub will receive four times as much grant funding as Scottish sites and more than three times that of the average English pub during the festive period, new research has found.

Only 27% of pubs intended to reopen, BBPA survey shows

03-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has said 12,600 - just 27% of pubs in Britain - had told them they intended to reopen yesterday (2 December) after England's second national lockdown was lifted.

lockdown live

Pubs hit by tier four closures in 'longest winter in living memory'

02-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

As pubs adapt to new coronavirus measures, The Morning Advertiser will bring you the latest updates and reaction on this live blog.

Analysis

What financial support is available to UK pubs this winter?

01-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that England would be plunged into its third national lockdown in an address on 4 January, The Morning Advertiser rounds up what funding is available across the UK.

Fury at pub alcohol ban in Wales

01-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

A ban on serving alcohol in pubs has been met with anger from publicans in Wales, who say it means their businesses are not viable.

Welsh pubs to be banned from selling alcohol

30-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Hospitality businesses in Wales will not be allowed to sell alcohol under fresh restrictions.

Welsh reopening: proof of residency, 'rule of 4' and no English visitors

09-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs in Wales can reopen today (Monday 9 November) after more than two weeks closed under the nation's 'firebreak' lockdown.

Furlough extension welcomed ahead of 'tough winter'

05-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the furlough scheme will be extended until the end of March.

Welsh pubs subject to 'rule of 4'

04-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Welsh pubs have received confirmation of operating rules before they resuming trading next week.

Welsh pubs 'victims' without further support

29-Oct-2020 By Emily Hawkins

The Welsh Government has been urged to explain where hospitality in the country will stand once the ‘firebreak’ lockdown ends.

Strictest measures will be needed by Christmas, advisers say

28-Oct-2020 By Emily Hawkins

The Government’s scientific advisers have advised the imposition of tier three restrictions on the entire country by mid-December, it has been reported.

Pub closures across the country as tier three restrictions come into force

23-Oct-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs in large swathes of the country will face fresh restrictions this weekend, with some businesses forced to close.

opinion

'It is unviable to turn the lights on and open the door'

21-Oct-2020 By Sandra Hughes, the Neuadd Fawr Arms, Carmarthenshire

John and I have owned the Neuadd Fawr Arms in Cilycwm, Carmarthenshire for six years.

Welsh pubs consider indefinite closure after lockdown

19-Oct-2020 By Emily Hawkins

A number of Welsh pubs have said they may not reopen immediately after a brief Government ordered shutdown.

Welsh pubs to close for over two weeks

19-Oct-2020 By Emily Hawkins

First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced a 17 day lockdown for Wales, including the closure of hospitality businesses.

'Not sure we'll make it to spring'

28-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Publicans have said they experienced some of their worst trading days on record at the weekend after stricter coronavirus measures came into force.

Pubs given curfew in Welsh county

16-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs in the Welsh county of Rhondda Cynon Taf will be forced to close at 11pm after being linked to a rise in coronavirus cases.

Welsh pubs try to capture last of summer trade

03-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs in Wales can reopen indoors from today after they were the last in the UK to be permitted to reopen fully.

Brains Brewery prepares for Welsh reopening

28-Jul-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Brains Brewery has outlined its plans to support the recovery of its pubs ahead of their reopening next week.

Minimum pricing could harm pub trade

06-Mar-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pub industry representatives do not believe minimum alcohol pricing in supermarkets and shops will benefit the on-trade, following the introduction of a minimum price in Wales.

Welsh inn reopens after 230k revamp

07-Jun-2019 By Emily Hawkins

A family-run pub in the Snowdonia National Park has reopened following a £230k refurbishment.

Fire devastates 12th-century Snowdonia inn

15-Oct-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Authorities are investigating after a 12th-century inn in Trawsfynydd, North Wales, was completely destroyed in a fire.

Travel guide names its best pubs in England and Wales

29-Aug-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Travel guide Sawdays has announced its favourite pubs in England, with a pub in Pembrokeshire taking the winning title.

Welsh pub named Ei Group’s pub of the year

12-Jul-2018 By Emily Hawkins

A south Wales pub has earned top honours at Ei Group’s Awards for Excellence.

Number of distilleries still soaring thanks to gin boom

17-Jan-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

Britain is now host to 315 distilleries, which is more than double the number that were operating across the nation five years ago.

Welsh microbrewery to open Cardiff city centre pub

20-Dec-2017 By James Beeson

Crafty Devil Brewing Co has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help secure funds for its first ever pub in the centre of Cardiff.