Coronavirus

Larger pub groups better placed for Covid recovery, managed conversion trend to ‘gather pace’

12-Apr-2021 By Stuart Stone

Large pub companies are better placed to bounce back from Covid-19 than smaller operators and independents – and could even gain market share – according to a report by global credit ratings agency S&P Global.

Vaccination target on track, ministers urge

08-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Government ministers have said there is no indication the UK will not meet its vaccination target and for the roadmap out of lockdown to be stalled.

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.

Vaccine passport proposals imply pubs 'not to be trusted'

29-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

When headlines declaring the Government was considering a policy that would see pubgoers asked to declare their ‘Covid status’ in the months to come, licensees recoiled.

8 in 10 publicans oppose vaccine passport policy

26-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Eight out of 10 licensees oppose Government-proposals to introduce a vaccine passport policy for pubs, according to a poll of The Morning Advertiser (MA) readers.

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: Show us the money!

24-Mar-2021 By Ed Bedington

We're talking finance and funding in this week's episode of the Lock In podcast. From the growing rent debt problem to thoughts on how to crowd funding, the podcast team speak to a couple of special guests on the topics and also discuss how...

Calls for table service to be scrapped for spring reopening

22-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

UKHospitality (UKH) has called for an end to table service rules when pubs are allowed to reopen this spring.

Coronavirus: a year of closures

Looking back on lockdowns: ‘Rollercoaster year we'll never forget'

22-Mar-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Voices from the trade have labelled the past 12 months as “horrific”, while others have described the Government’s response to restrictions imposed in 2020 and into 2021 as a “hash”.

Local authorities advised on Restart grant payments

19-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Guidance on Restart grants has been issued to local authorities by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Coronavirus: a year of closures

In numbers: 12 months since Boris Johnson told pubs to close

19-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

With 20 March marking a year-to-the-day since last orders were called in pubs just days before a first national lockdown, The Morning Advertiser looks back on some of the defining data from the past 12 months.

'No clear justification' for pub reopening date

18-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government will be taken to court over its reopening date for indoor hospitality.

Demand for trade charity services trebled in 2020

17-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The number of people seeking support from the Licensed Trade Charity more than trebled during the past year as the pandemic took its toll on those working in the sector.

Customers not reluctant to return to Jersey pub ‘at all’

15-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Despite cold weather deterring a number of pub goers from making use of outdoor areas, the Trinity Arms in Jersey has made a positive start to post-lockdown trading, according to general manager Patrycja Bosak.

MA’s Review of the Week

‘Tsunami of other problems’ not factored into speed of lockdown exit

12-Mar-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Rockpoint Leisure CEO and chair of the Institute of Licensing and National Licensing Forum, Dan Davies, to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

Beer gardens 'inundated' with booking requests but uncertainty continues

10-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

While many pubs have reported being flooded with bookings for next month, some operators are waiting it out.

'Highly doubtful' lockdown will end earlier than roadmap dates

09-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government's chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance and chief medical officer Chris Whitty have been questioned by the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee.

'Red tape' won't ruin summer for pubs, minister says as licensing freedoms extended

08-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed it will extend provisions to make it easier for pubs to utilise outdoor space.

Government more than trebles State Aid cap

05-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

The State Aid cap has been increased to more than £10m, offering larger pub, bar and restaurant firms greater access to Government-backed grants outlined in the Spring Budget.

Lack of support a 'nightmare' for wet-led pubs

04-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Wet-led pub operators have been left disappointed after their calls for focused support went largely unheard by the Chancellor.

Spring Budget 2021

Communities can bid for £250k to save local pub

04-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Brits will be able to use a £150m fund to help them take ownership of pubs and other community venues at risk of closure.

Spring Budget 2021

• BUDGET LIVE: Chancellor extends furlough and business rates relief in 'make or break' Budget

03-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Chancellor set out his Budget plans this afternoon, including his plans to extend furlough and rates relief.

JDW and M&B among pubcos to claim most furlough in December

02-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

JD Wetherspoon and Mitchells & Butlers were among the pub companies to claim the most through the furlough scheme in December 2020.

Chancellor slammed for 'out of touch' rent remarks

01-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has vastly under-estimated the rent costs faced by pubs, according to operators who say the Government has not listened to the trade.

Slash beer duty at the Budget to revive pub sector, MPs urge

26-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Some 68 Conservative MPs have urged the Chancellor to slash beer duty in the Budget next week, saying this would encourage punters back to the pub.

Extend commercial eviction ban until July, campaign urges

25-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

A campaign for a three-month extension of the commercial eviction moratorium and flexibility on rent repayments, has been launched.

Scottish pubs left with ‘more questions than answers’ on reopening

24-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Scottish pub operators and trade groups have said they still feel left in the dark by the Scottish Government’s announcement about when pubs can be expected to reopen.

Roadmap reaction: 'I can't say I'm jumping for joy'

23-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Operators have shared their mixed reactions to news of a phased reopening of pubs with The Morning Advertiser, with one describing the Government's roadmap as a "huge blow."

Pubs will reopen outdoors first with full reopening from 17 May, PM declares

22-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed pubs will be permitted to reopen outdoors from 12 April and indoors from 17 May, at the very earliest.

opinion

'Opening up too early risks ruining pub experience'

22-Feb-2021 By John Ellis, Crown Inn, Oakengates and Elephant & Castle, Dawley

I'm very concerned about the headlines this weekend that big property companies such as JD Wetherspoon and Young's are pushing the conversation towards opening up the industry before that would be viable.

Darwin & Wallace revenues down £2m

22-Feb-2021 By Georgia Cronin, MCA

London-based bar group Darwin & Wallace lost almost a quarter of its usual revenue as a result of the first lockdown, contributing to a £2m dip in its year-on-year sales.

Pub leaders pull out of Government talks over ‘growing sense of betrayal’

17-Feb-2021 By Georgia Cronin, MCA

Pub sector leaders have pulled out of talks with business minister Paul Scully due to a “growing sense of betrayal” caused by Government’s “obvious lack of interest and respect” for the industry.

Heineken tight-lipped on UK job cuts

12-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Brewing giant Heineken has confirmed the loss of under 100 jobs at its UK operation.

Insurance ruling led to 'more confusion' among operators

11-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Many operators have been left disappointed after initially believing they were eligible for an insurance payout following a landmark court ruling.

THE GREAT BRITISH PUB AWARDS - PUB HEROES

Coca-Cola GBPA Pub Hero grants help winners fulfil passion projects

10-Feb-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

After being crowned Pub Heroes in September, The Morning Advertiser revisited a trio of operators who received grants from Coca-Cola’s Community Pub Fund to find out how they had used their five-figure spur.

Legal challenge on wet pub closures moves forward

10-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Night time economy adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord is to press ahead with a legal challenge over restrictions on wet pubs.

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.

Opinion

‘Current lockdown is having a more significant impact than the previous ones’

08-Feb-2021 By Adam Nelson, the Orange Tree, Chelmsford, Essex

Following the announcement of a third national lockdown, we had low expectations for January.

Text-based mental health support service launched

05-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

A free mental health support service for those working in the hospitality sector has been launched.

Jobs round-up

Furlough costs hospitality £542m per month, Christmas payment deadline extended, Stonegate director leaves

04-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

The latest update on jobs and people moves from the pub sector includes the full cost of furlough, an extension to the Christmas Support Payment deadline and the departure of a Stonegate director.

Treasury urged to extend support as sector stares 'into the abyss'

01-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs have been left “battling for survival”, UKHospitality’s Kate Nicholls has said after imploring the Treasury to extend critical support for hospitality businesses.

What happens if you open your pub during lockdown?

29-Jan-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

With a spate of pubs hitting the headlines for breaching coronavirus restrictions, The Morning Advertiser takes a look at the potential impact on licensees if they break lockdown rules.

'VAT cut was more helpful than lockdown grants'

28-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The trade has implored the Government to extend a sector-wide VAT reduction following suggestions there are no plans afoot to continue the policy beyond March.

£200m a day hospitality losses

28-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Britain's pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels lost nearly £200m a day in sales in 2020, according to new figures.

Oxford's Lamb & Flag to close as 'not currently financially viable'

26-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

A historic pub is to close after four centuries after the pressures of the pandemic rendered it unable to break even.

Community raises £60k for pub-zoo as owner urges Government 'don't crush' sector

25-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The owner of a pub which also boasts a zoo on-site has slammed the Government for not doing more to help the sector and said his business “wouldn’t be here” without its regulars.

Pubs must prepare their businesses for Brexit now

22-Jan-2021 By Nicholas Robinson

Pubs have been urged by business minister Paul Scully to ensure they are properly prepared amid changes brought about by the end of the Brexit transition period.

No idea on pubs’ place in reopening pecking order

21-Jan-2021 By Nicholas Robinson

The Government has not indicated the point at which hospitality will open when the country lifts from lockdown, but it is understood sector leaders and ministers are discussing what restrictions will be in place once pubs and bars reopen.

'Unviable' and 'catch 22': operators share thoughts on post-lockdown tiers

19-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Wet-led licensees said they are bracing themselves for months of extended closure as they fear it will not be viable to reopen under another tiered system of restrictions even if permitted.

VAT rate reversion could risk 310k jobs

14-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government has been pressed to extend the reduced VAT rate beyond the spring to protect some 310,000 jobs in the hospitality and tourism sector.

PCA pens letter to tied tenants and ‘stops the clock’ on pubs code deadlines

13-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Fiona Dickie has approved a new declaration to ‘pause and preserve’ key rights during fresh lockdown restrictions and written to tied tenants in recognition of yet another ‘bitter blow’.