Coronavirus

Opinion

'We need to go beyond just a minister, we need a whole department'

12-Jan-2021 By Ed Bedington

While I welcome the fact the issue of a minister for hospitality was debated in the House of Commons last night (Monday 11 January), the cynic in me wonders if it will have any impact whatsoever.

Chancellor ‘out of ideas’ after pledging no new support

12-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has stated that despite forecasts of further economic decline there will be no additional financial support for business hit by coronavirus restrictions before the Budget on 3 March.

One-in-four operators yet to receive grants from second lockdown

12-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

A Morning Advertiser (MA) survey has revealed that a quarter of pub operators (24%) who applied for grants during November’s lockdown are still awaiting funds – with many citing outstanding payments of more than £10,000.

Pandemic more than halves number of freehold and leasehold pub transactions

12-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

The pub property market’s Covid symptoms include plummeting sales values and volume according to Fleurets’ Survey of Pub Prices 2020.

Hospitality laundry sector 'dying' without further support

11-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The hospitality laundry sector has experienced “hell” after being excluded from sector support, the head of a trade body has said.

Pubs shouldn't turn into off-licences, supermarkets free to sell alcohol

07-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government has said pubs should not try to “repurpose” themselves so they can sell alcohol to customers on-site while supermarkets face no additional rules.

'There's no panic buying per se'

07-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs stepped up to help their communities by providing essential groceries and items in the first lockdown. Now, those setting up shop during England's third national lockdown are being advised to provide customers with home comforts.

Pubs left in limbo over alcohol sale rules

07-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government has remained tight lipped when pushed on pubs’ permission to sell alcohol during England’s third lockdown.

Lockdown measures could last beyond February

06-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

It is feared lockdown restrictions may last for several months and be reintroduced next winter if coronavirus persists in the UK.

Curfews, capped capacity and packaged drink only – how and where are Europe’s pubs still trading?

05-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

After England was plunged into its third national lockdown following an announcement on 4 January, The Morning Advertiser (MA) scanned Europe’s hospitality sector for signs of life amid tightened restrictions.

Prime Minister announces fresh national lockdown

04-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

A lockdown similar to the one imposed at the start of the pandemic in March will be imposed, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced.

Pub sector needs ‘immediate assurances’

04-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government has been asked to clarify how long pub closures will continue as coronavirus cases reach alarming levels.

lockdown live

• LIVE: Social distancing rules could remain until autumn, reports say

04-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

As pubs face a winter of closures, The Morning Advertiser will bring you the latest updates and reaction on this live blog.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

‘It’s hard enough for any start-up to gain customers, especially when not trading as intended’

03-Jan-2021 By Mark Bates, the Three Bs Micropub, Bridlington, East Yorkshire

The Three B’s Micropub in Bridlington opened in April to a nationwide lockdown. Here publican Mark Bates looks back on opening a closed pub.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

‘This certainly wasn’t in the business plan we presented last Christmas’

29-Dec-2020 By Marc Hornby, co-founder, the Virgins & Castle, Kenilworth, Warwickshire

Publicans Jonathan Carter-Morris and Marc Hornby received the keys to their new pub on 9 March – less than a fortnight before the UK’s first national lockdown. Here Marc reflects on taking on a site during a pandemic.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

‘I’ve been spending 24 hours a day here not paying myself very much money’

26-Dec-2020 By Jesse Dunford Wood, Parlour, Kensal Green, London

On the eve of his site's eighth anniversary, Jesse Dunford Wood spoke to The Morning Advertiser about the impact of Covid-19 on his west London pub Parlour.

More English pubs hit by Boxing Day closures

23-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Large parts of south and east England will move to tier four from one minute past midnight on Boxing Day, the Health Secretary has confirmed.

Government committee considers tougher tiers for more areas

23-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

More pubs in England could be forced to shut after Christmas with Government officials considering further action today (Wednesday 23 December).

Al Murray becomes Campaign for Pubs ambassador

23-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Comedian Al Murray, ‘The Pub Landlord’, has become an ambassador for national grassroots campaign group Campaign for Pubs and is calling on all pub-lovers to sign its latest petition.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

GBPA winner swaps pints for the pulpit

23-Dec-2020 By Reverend Emily Kolltveit, St Mary‘s Church and the Chandos Arms, London

According to Great British Pub Award-winning operator turned ordained Anglican Deacon, Emily Kolltveit, 2020 has been ‘an extraordinary year of highs and lows’. Here she explains how she’s adapted to a new style of service.

MA's Review of the Week

Furlough scheme investment ‘wasted’ if we lose jobs now

18-Dec-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Titanic Brewery director Keith Bott to discuss the big issues from the pub sector this week.

Tier 3 would be ‘writing on the wall’ for London pubs

10-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Many of the capital's hospitality businesses would be forced to permanently close should the city be placed into the toughest tier of coronavirus measures, a trade association has claimed.

Jobs round-up

More than half-a-million jobs lost, new late-night APPG, Christmas Support Payment update

10-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

In addition to Incipio Group and Whitbread announcing new hires, updates on the £1,000 Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs, hospitality job losses and a new Parliamentary group to support late-night sector were issued.

Coronavirus wipes £14bn off pub market value

23-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Lumina Intelligence UK Pub Market Report 2020 found this year, the pub market is set to be worth £9bn with the impact of the pandemic wiping 61% (£14bn) off its value.

Breaking

All pubs to close in national month-long lockdown

31-Oct-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Pubs and other “non-essential” businesses will be forced to close from Thursday 5 November for a month as the Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a second national lockdown, a move considered by experts as extremely worrying for the hospitality sector....

Oakman records highest sales quarter in group history

09-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

A trading statement from multiple operator The Oakman Group covering the 13 weeks to 4 October has revealed record-breaking first quarter trading.

'Avoid the bleakest of winters' 100 hospo bosses urge PM

30-Sep-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Some 100 hospitality business leaders including pubco bosses have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging him to support the sector financially.

JD Wetherspoon pushed to annual loss

24-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pub behemoth JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has warned it will report an annual loss amid the coronavirus pandemic and its food sales will be subdued after the Government’s discount meal scheme ends.

Operator defends closure as 'right choice' after confirmed link to coronavirus case

21-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

A publican insists she did the right thing in closing her site after a customer received a positive coronavirus test after visiting her venue, despite not being instructed to do so by officials.

Customers tipping more during discount meals scheme

20-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

The Eat Out to Help Out scheme may have directly contributed to customers tipping higher and more often, new data has suggested.

Sam Smith’s refuses to support track and trace

19-Aug-2020 By MCA Editorial

Yorkshire-based brewer and pub operator, Samuel Smith, is refusing to cooperate with the Government’s track and trace system.

County Durham pubs voluntarily close after cases linked to site

18-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pubgoers in County Durham are being asked to self-isolate if they visited a site linked to a confirmed case of coronavirus.

Pubs enjoy third week of food sales soaring

17-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Managed pubs and group restaurants have enjoyed a third week of food sales increasing following the launch of the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Grants of up to £80k for music pubs

27-Jul-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Grassroots music venues at immediate risk of permanent closure will receive £2.25m emergency funding, the Government has announced.

Most operators need rent reduction of at least two fifths over next six months

12-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The majority of operators need a minimum 41% rent reduction in order to trade for the rest of this year, new data has found.

'The Government needs to get out of the way'

11-Jun-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Government needs to get out of the way and let the sector manage the process of reopening safely, according to leading hospitality investor Charlie McVeigh.

Robinsons offers tapered rent discounts from July

11-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Robinsons Brewery, which operates more than 260 pubs across north Wales and England, will begin tapering its rent discounts from July.

The Restaurant Group CVA ‘won’t impact pub operations’

10-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has announced that a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) to reduce the size of its leisure estate will not impact its pub operations.

#Unitedwestand

Further furlough details expected this week

09-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government is set to announce further guidance on the flexible furlough scheme and how employers should calculate claims later this week (Friday 12 June).

#Unitedwestand

PCA calls on pubcos to publish ‘transparent and consistent’ methodology on rent

05-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has urged the six regulated pub companies to offer a clear methodology on support amid the coronavirus crisis.

#Unitedwestand

Wine offer will be reduced at award-winning gastropub

03-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

From an award-winning pub cutting its wine stock in half to another site that won’t rush to replace stock, will offering less mean more to recover your sales?

#unitedwestand

Pub insurers identified for another group claim

01-Jun-2020 By Emily Hawkins

A law firm is appealing to pub operators ahead of a potential group action against insurers who have declined claims for business interruption.

#Unitedwestand

Mixed reactions to Chancellor’s employer contribution announcement

29-May-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Trade bodies have voiced mixed opinions on Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement of how much employers will be asked to contribute to the furlough scheme.

Wellington Pub Company

Licensees rebuff billionaire-owned pubco's rent offer

29-May-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Wellington Pub Company publicans have rebuffed the landlord’s offer of three months’ free rent and two quarters charged at 50%, following an updated statement from the pub group.

Opinion

Honesty and transparency are vital for the next generation of bar owners

29-May-2020 By Sacha Lord, night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester

The past seven days have shown us the importance of having open and honest dialogues with those around you.

#unitedwestand

How to reduce your food menu for reopening

29-May-2020 By Emily Hawkins

As the time for reopening gets closer, you may want to set out your new food menu and that probably means making the offer smaller but stronger.

#Unitedwestand

PM eyes earlier pub reopening and reduced social distancing measures

28-May-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “optimistic” about pubs reopening earlier than he first thought.

#Unitedwestand

Trade bodies join forces to call for full furlough extension

28-May-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Industry associations have urged the Chancellor to maintain the furlough scheme at the current 80% payment level until October and increase its flexibility for the trade.

#Unitedwestand

Evolution is key to survival for pubs

27-May-2020 By Ed Bedington

Ongoing adaption has been the key to success for one award-winning operator in East Sussex.

#Unitedwestand

‘There’s a real sense of gratitude that we’re open’

22-May-2020 By Ed Bedington

The challenges of running a hospitality operation while dealing with social distancing restrictions are many, particularly during the recent hot weather.