Ma Leaders

What's in the news 15 March

Review of the Week

‘Confidence is starting to rise’

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with the BII's Steve Alton to get his take on the week's news, ahead of his epic trip to Kenya for Pedalling 4 Pubs.

Windmill Taverns celebrates 30 years of trade

'I was lucky!'

By Ed Bedington

As the McElhinney family celebrate more than three decades in the UK pub trade, the MA speaks to founder Jack, and son Ryan, to find out the secrets to their success.

Very positive: Loungers chief executive Nick Collins talks market strategy for next year with MCA (Pictured: Loungers Brigthside venue in Devon)

Loungers: ‘we’re very positive about 2024’

By Shwetali Sapte, MCA

Loungers plans to leverage the versatility of its offer, with a pipeline in place across multiple types of locations, chief executive Nick Collins told The Morning Advertiser's sister publication, MCA.

Fun times: people still love to visit pubs say Karl Chessell and Dani Rowlands of CGA by NiQ

MA LEADERS CLUB

CGA: Love for pub remains for customers

By Gary Lloyd

Customers’ love for pubs has not dampened despite the challenges to the sector remaining “pretty prevalent”, according to experts at insights specialist CGA by NiQ.

Good timing: Bath Pub Company co-founder Joe Cussens (pictured) told the MA he was looking forward to doing something different following St Austell acquirement

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

'Good timing' for St Austell takeover of Bath Pub Co

By Rebecca Weller

After a “tumultuous few years’” in the sector, managing director and co-founder of the Bath Pub Company, Joe Cussens, told The Morning Advertiser (MA) it was time for a “new chapter” for both him and the business.

Opportunities for growth: Industry experts discuss the benefits of apprenticeships

MA LEADERS CLUB

How to get the most out of apprenticeships

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Staff from the UK’s top pub companies discussed the benefits of apprenticeships at the MA Leaders Conference in Newcastle last week.

Digital insights: Footprint Digital staff talk all things SEO

MA Leaders Club

How to drive footfall to your pub's website

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Experts from the advertising agency Footprint Digital advised operators on how to get the most out of SEO, at the MA Leaders conference in Newcastle last week.

MA Leaders Newcastle: the conference is underway as operators and experts share what it is like to trade in the city

MA Leaders Newcastle happening today

By Rebecca Weller

The MA Leaders Club meeting in Newcastle is underway with operators and experts revealing what it’s like to trade in the city alongside where the opportunities and challenges are.

How to survive in the pub trade

'Total war' - surviving 20 years in the trade

By Ed Bedington

Surviving 20 years in the pub trade without going backwards is no mean feat, but the founders of the Three Cheers Pub Co can look back with a real sense of achievement.

Excellent track record: Tarquin Williams (pictured) appointed as Oakman Group as CFO

Oakman Group appoints new CFO

By Rebecca Weller

Multiple operator Oakman Group has announced the appointment of Tarquin Williams as its chief financial officer (CFO).

Multifaceted venues: pubs “underestimating the opportunities” presented by M&A activity within the sector (Pictured: MA Leaders Birmingham)

MA Leaders Club

M&A opportunities ‘underestimated’

By Rebecca Weller

Firms are “underestimating the opportunities” presented by M&A activity within the sector as operators look to take on “smaller locations”, according to property experts.

Event details: the MA Leaders Club conference took place at Komedia in Brighton on Thursday 15 September

MA Leaders club

Consumers want honesty from operators about rising costs

By Nikkie Thatcher

Some 20% of consumers felt strongly that venue owners should be open and honest about rising costs to soften the blow and extend consumers’ understanding of the challenges the sector is facing, a survey has found.

New national service: sector deserves more respect and should be seen as career option (Pictured: Tanya Wicks (left), Clive Price (centre) and MA news editor Nikkie Thatcher (right) at MA Leaders Brighton)

Hospitality should be 'new national service'

By Rebecca Weller

Hospitality should be a “new national service” as the sector offers varied experiences across all skill levels, according to Barons Pub Company managing director Clive Price.

Putting money in the bin: sustainability and food waste management could be solution to ease energy crisis (Credit:Getty/libin jose)

Sustainability 'solution to crippling overheads'

By Rebecca Weller

Now is not the time for operators to let sustainability fall away and could help ease the impact of the energy crisis, according to Net Zero Now executive director Simon Heppner.

Business growth: Rekom UK chief executive Peter Marks previously said the company was moving forward with its strategy of cluster openings

Rekom to open UK’s first Proud Mary pub

By Shwetali Sapte, MCA

Rekom will open as the UK’s first Proud Mary pub at the end of October after having acquired the former Yard Bar on Cardiff’s St Mary’s Street.

Huge contribution: Steven Kenee to step down as Oakman Group chief investment officer (Pictured: Steven Kenee with Peter Borg-Neal)

Steven Kenee to leave Oakman Group

By Gary Lloyd

Steven Kenee is to leave his role as chief investment officer at Oakman Group. Kenee joined Oakman three years ago from Downing where he had grown to admire the company while managing Downing’s investment into the business.

What's in the news 1 April?

The MA's Review of the Week

'We as an industry need to adapt'

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with the group md of award winning Liberation Group, Jayson Perfect, to get his thoughts on the weeks events. From winning three Publican Awards, to rising headwinds and the importance of outdoor trading.

Event details: the next MA Leaders Club meeting is set to take place in Manchester this May (image: Getty/Ingus Kruklitis)

MA Leaders Club

MA Leaders Club May location revealed

By Nikkie Thatcher

The next MA Leaders Club event will be taking place in May this year and we can now reveal whereabouts in the country it will be.

How pubs can improve their wine offer

Opinion

How to improve your wine offer

By Heath Ball, MD of Frisco Group

Pubs and wine are not always a match made in heaven, as The MA recently explored in the last episode of the Lock In podcast.

Prospect Pubs expands estate

Prospect Pubs expand with fifth site

By Ed Bedington

Prospect Pubs has announced the launch of its fifth site with the opening of the Joiners Arms near Banbury with a sixth on the way.

Pictured at the MA Leaders event (from left to right): The Morning Advertiser's Nikkie Thatcher was joined by operators Brian Whiting, Dianne Irving and Philip Thorley

MA Leaders Club

Consumer confidence has risen but inflation poses threat

By Rebecca Weller

Pubs are still standing and optimistic for the year ahead, but inflation and VAT rises alongside the staffing crisis pose big challenges for 2022, according to operators across the sector.

Insight revealed: CGA managing director for UK and Ireland Jonny Jones outlines consumer data at the MA Leaders Club conference

MA Leaders Club

Consumer confidence rises by 36 percentage points

By Rebecca Weller

Consumer confidence has risen 36 percentage points when compared with January 2021 with 70% now feeling ‘very’ or ‘quite confident visiting hospitality venues, according to CGA.

Agenda details: Farringdon will play host to the latest MA Leaders Club event on Thursday 24 February (image: Getty/Andrew Holt)

MA Leaders Club

MA Leaders London line-up revealed

By Nikkie Thatcher

Our first MA Leaders Club event of 2022 will be taking place at the iconic Fabric nightclub in Farringdon, London this month (Thursday 24 February) as well as exploring Smiths of Smithfield before hitting the streets to uncover some of the most exciting...

Pub group boss: Oakman founder and executive chairman Peter Borg-Neal

Oakman looks to increase estate size by 25%

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator the Oakman Group has secured what is directors believe to be its “strongest ever pipeline of new sites”, which would result in the business growing its estate by a quarter (25%).

What's in the news 12 November

Rising costs are 'frightening'

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's editor Ed Bedington speaks to Brian Whiting of WH Pubs for his views on the week's news, from inflationary pressures and premiumisation through to the debate over dogs in pubs.

What's in the news 8 October?

The MA's Review of the Week

Honesty needed in minimum wage debate

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington catches up with the Vaulkhard Group's Ollie Vaulkhard to get his thoughts on the latest headlines affecting the pub sector.

Campaign launched: Jackie Moody-McNamara announced #inviteustospeak at the MA Leaders Club event

Mayor's actions applauded by pub campaigner

By Ed Bedington

An equality campaigner for the pub sector has applauded the actions of a West Midland’s mayor who refused to take part in the Conservative Party conference due to gender inbalance.

What can the sector do to boost gender equality?

MA Leaders Club

Campaign to boost diversity launched

By Nikkie Thatcher

A new campaign to level the playing field for professional women across the sector has been unveiled.