Pubco + Head Office

Half-year results: people returning to city centres has helped boost business at Mitchells & Butlers

M&B lfl sales for first half of year rise 8.9%

By Gary Lloyd

Pubs, bars and restaurants operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has reported like-for-like sales growth of 8.9% for the first half (H1) of its 2023 financial year (FY23).

On track: James Brown and the Duckpin bowling attraction at BrewDog Waterloo

BrewDog’s praise for ‘passionate believers’

By Gary Lloyd

BrewDog Bars CEO James Brown has heaped praise on fellow Publican Awards finalists for having the bravery to open new sites while the industry was exiting Covid-restricted times.

Trading update: Punch has converted 71 L&T sites into its Managed Partnerships division

Punch revenue up but profits drop

By Gary Lloyd

Punch Pubs Group has announced a boost in total revenue to £158.1m for the 28 weeks to 26 February 2023, compared to £142.6m in the same period last year.

Boost for The Restaurant Group: Brunning & Price site the Highdown in Goring-on-Sea, West Sussex

Major shareholder of TRG issues vote of confidence

By Gary Lloyd

The largest shareholder of The Restaurant Group (TRG), which operates pub business Brunning & Price, has given its support to the group after other investors said they would not vote in favour of company resolutions.

Warning: JDW’s Tim Martin said a lack of Government understanding presents a threat to the prosperity of the country

JDW FY23 sales ‘likely to be a record’

By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has announced like-for-like (lfl) sales increased by 9.1% in the third quarter (Q3) of its 2023 financial year (FY23) and sales for the entire year look set to be a record.

Multiple business: the Box joins Arc's Manahatta venue in Birmingham

Arc to open biggest Box site to date

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Arc Inspirations is preparing to open its largest Box site in Brindleyplace, Birmingham next month (June).

Trading news: Liberation Group CEO optimistic for future

2023 off to robust start for Liberation Group

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Liberation Group has successfully completed the integration of Cirrus Inns into its Butcombe Pubs and Inns business and has reported an encouraging start to the new financial year.

Hitting targets: CEO is proud of the Greene King team

Greene King celebrates 62.2% revenue boost

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Greene King delivered a strong operational performance in FY2022 despite challenging trading conditions, as strategic progress continues for the pubco.

Supreme effort: some of the walkers who trekked 21 miles between Fuller's pubs

Fuller’s raises £20,000 for Special Olympics GB

By Gary Lloyd

Almost 100 team members from Fuller, Turner and Smith (Fuller’s) and Special Olympics GB walked 21 miles between two Fuller’s pubs to raise £20,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Special weekend: Jonathan Smith (right) expects pubs to be allowed to trade until 1am so long as their current hours go up to 11pm at least (credit: Getty/Alessandro Biascioli)

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Extended hours for the King’s coronation weekend

By Jonathan Smith, managing partner, Poppleston Allen

In 1952, the last time we enjoyed a good old knees up at a coronation, the sale of alcohol was governed by the Licensing Act 1921, pubs were faced with many of the restrictions that had applied during the First World War, such as the afternoon break and...

Winning line-up: the stars of the Pride of Green King awards

Greene King hails star employees

By Gary Lloyd

Brewer and pub operator Greene King crowned star staff from its pubs, breweries and support centres in a gala awards night on Wednesday (26 April).

Vote revealed: Irenic Capital Management has stated it will vote against The Restaurant Group's renumeration policy (credit: Getty/Klaus Vedfelt)

Brunning & Price disposal advice from TRG backer

By Gary Lloyd

Brunning & Price, and other “non-core assets”, should be “disposed” so its owner, The Restaurant Group, can concentrate on running Wagamama, according to shareholder Irenic Capital Management.

Community acquisitions: Punch acquires two sites

Punch snaps up 2 pubs

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Punch Pubs & Co has acquired two new community pubs to add to its 1,300-strong portfolio.

Acquisitions and revamps: Big news for Punch, Electric Star, Admiral Taverns and Hydes

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Electric Star & Punch announce new pubs

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Electric Star and Punch have added pubs to their portfolios, while Hydes and Inn Collection Group sites have reopened after revamps.

Village people: the Urban Village Pubs team celebrates victory at the Publican Awards in March 2023

The three keys to Urban Village Pubs’ success

By Gary Lloyd

Making a community a stronger place is one of the reasons why Urban Village Pubs won Best Community Pub winner at the Publican Awards, according to the pubco’s co-founder Ian Grundy.

Demand for Hogs Back Brewery cask from pubs rises

The Cask Project

Hogs Back sees uplift in cask demand from pubs

By Gary Lloyd

Demand for cask ales from Surrey-based Hogs Back Brewery is rising towards pre-Covid levels as the brewer has secured listings with a number of pub operators for its brands and new variants.

Bright future: New York's late-night sector is bouncing back from the throes of the pandemic

NYC night czar: ‘Nightlife is a need not a luxury’

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Since Covid, a late-night Renaissance has dawned on New York City. We caught up with the city’s night czar, as she rounds off her term, on how New Yorkers are fuelling post-pandemic recovery with fresh zeal.

Big Hug and Greene King release charity beer

The Cask Project

Big Hug teams up with GK for charity drive

By Gary Lloyd

Socially conscious beer brand Big Hug has teamed up with brewer and pub operator Greene King (GK) to launch a collaborative version of its Pave The Way (4.6%) pale ale for GK’s seasonal cask calendar.

Wait and sea: Brighton Pier Group is eyeing strategic acquisitions in the long term (credit: Getty/Ron Bambridge)

Brighton Pier Group lfl sales fall 11% in 2023

By Gary Lloyd

Like-for-like (lfl) sales for the first three months of 2023 at Brighton Pier Group were down 11% versus 2022 with 76% of the shortfall coming from its Bars division.

Amendments to DRS: pubs will not have to also be a return point for recycling under new rule changes (credit: Getty/cagkansayin)

Pubs to benefit from amendments to DRS

By Gary Lloyd

Changes to the proposed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Scotland that are set to benefit pubs and craft drinks producers have been welcomed by the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA).

Spotlight

(credit: Getty/ViewApart) Experts give comment for the Beer Report 2024 The Morning Advertiser's Lock In podcast episode 78 Making the most of your ghost Competition kicked off: entry for the 2024 Great British Pub Awards is now open Hunt is under way for the Great British Pub of the Year

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KENT - HIGH QUALITY FAMILY FRIENDLY PUB

£ 60,000 - Leasehold

Busy location on coastal main road Extensively renovated detached public house Five trade areas (100)  Sizeable refurbished 4-5 bedroom accommodation Newly created beer garden (125) Established and popular business...

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