Pubco + Head Office

Mitchells & Butlers considers equity raise to weather third lockdown

07-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Birmingham-based pub operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has revealed that it is considering an equity capital raise in a bid to increase “financial and operational flexibility” during England’s third national lockdown.

UK headed for double-dip recession after ‘strikingly downbeat’ end to 2020

06-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

New lockdown restrictions in tandem with stifled economic performance in final quarter of 2020 have left the UK on the brink of its first double-dip recession since 1975, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Punch reports loss amid enforced pandemic closures

06-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Punch, which operates more than 1,200 pubs, has reported a loss for the year ending 16 August.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

On-trade reflects on 'ultimate bombshells' and 'David versus Goliath' clashes in 2020

04-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

From a brewer who took on Hugo Boss to an operator who swapped the pub for the pulpit, The Morning Advertiser shared a selection of standout stories to close the book on a tumultuous 12 months for the on-trade.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

Business support measures discussed ‘as if the owners don’t exist as people’

04-Jan-2021 By Liz Hind, the Old Millwrights Arms, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Liz Hind of the Old Millwrights Arms in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, looks back on 2020 and reflects on how business owners have been perceived amid the ongoing pandemic.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

‘Everyone knew what they had, they just thought they’d never lose it’

04-Jan-2021 By Martin Barnes, director, Uphouse pubs

Martin Barnes of Cheshire-based operator Uphouse pubs, looks back on a ‘year of rapid change’ for the pub sector amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

Either 'pretty damn brave, or very foolhardy’ to launch a brewery during an international crisis

31-Dec-2020 By Russ Clarke, Amity Brew Co

Though West Yorkshire-based brewer Russ Clarke describes 2020 as ‘a dumpster fire’, it was also the year he fulfilled a dream by opening his own brewery.

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?

‘We waited 30 years for this and the celebration the team and fans deserved was far from possible’

27-Dec-2020 By Kate Stewart, the Sandon, Liverpool

Kate Stewart from the Sandon – a firm fixture on matchdays at Anfield – describes the ‘heart-wrenching’ feeling of not being able to celebrate Liverpool’s first Premier League title with supporters due to Covid-19 restrictions.

'I'm not sure if politicians understand what burning money looks like'

24-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Despite the company exhibiting symptoms of the Covid-19 crisis such as dented profits and sounding off job loss warnings, Marston’s Ralph Findlay argued the operator exits 2020 in better shape than it entered.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

'Pubs are part of human existence and the Government has now forgotten about us'

24-Dec-2020 By Mark Crane, general manager at Grove Lock, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

Mark Crane of Grove Lock in Leighton Buzzard tells us that while 2020 began as a year full of hope and excitement he soon found himself deflated.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

'We've served 450,000 customers since July and are unaware of any Covid cases'

24-Dec-2020 By Patrick Frawley, owner, East London Pub Company

Patrick Frawley, who owns and operates five pubs and bars in central London as well as five restaurants and bars in Ireland via the East London Pub Company, believes hospitality has been 'thrown to the wolves' in 2020.

Jobs round-up

Biggest pub job and company news in 2020

23-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

In the final jobs round-up of 2020 The Morning Advertiser (MA) reflects on 18 of the biggest people move, job, training and company updates from the past year.

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.

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.

Hospitality sector on course to lose more than £53bn in sales during ‘disaster’ 2020

22-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

The UK’s hospitality sector has seen sales figures plummet by more than £53bn in 2020 – with more to come from collapsed Christmas trading – new research from CGA has found.

Leicestershire County Council tops up festive grants for hard hit pubs

22-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has voiced support for Leicestershire County Council after the authority pledged to double funds provided by the Government with an extra £1,000 for struggling rural pubs.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

‘We spent more than £100k to trade for 6 hours’

22-Dec-2020 By Chris Tulloch, MD Blind Tiger Inns

In the third instalment of our series looking back on the past 12 months, we hear from Blind Tiger Inns’ Chris Tulloch and his reflections on opening a pub on the day the UK entered its first nationwide lockdown.

Property round-up

2020’s biggest pub property stories

22-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

In the final pub property round-up of 2020 The Morning Advertiser (MA) looks back on 20 of the biggest deals, revamps and reopenings covered in the past 12 months.

Government should use temporary increase in EU State Aid limits to support hospitality

21-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Real estate service provider Colliers International has urged the Government to take advantage of the European Union’s increase in State Aid limits due to Covid-19 to support the UK’s ailing hospitality sector.

Inn Collection Group adds 19th site to round off ‘record’ year

21-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

North east-based pub operator, the Inn Collection Group, has made its eighth acquisition of 2020 – a year of record growth despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

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.

Revolution revenue drops by £41.3m – further liquidity secured

17-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

The operator of 67 bars under its nationwide Revolution and Revolución de Cuba brands has reported sales significantly down in the first 24 weeks of FY21 as a result of “severe and constantly evolving trading restrictions.”

Jobs round-up

Hospitality job losses, BAME in Hospitality renamed, New Heineken MD, Minister for hospitality debate

17-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

In addition to the release of Office of National Statistics figures for hospitality job losses, there have been updates from Heineken UK, Only A Pavement Away, Laine Brew Co and Ten Locks in the past week.

Property round-up

Landmark investments by JDW and Tokyo Industries, Oakman to double estate, London Cocktail Club acquired

16-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

In addition to updates on the sales of Welsh brewer and pub operator SA Brain, nightclub operator Deltic and London Cocktail Club, this week saw biggest ever investments from JDW and Tokyo Industries.

New bar group Nightcap to list on AIM after London Cocktail Club acquisition

15-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

A new company led by hospitality entrepreneur and ex-Dragon’s Den investor Sarah Willingham, has unveiled plans to float on AIM after agreeing a deal to acquire the London Cocktail Club’s bar portfolio.

Almost three quarters of Brits believe hospitality has been harshly treated amid pandemic

11-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

New research has claimed that the majority of the British public sympathise with hospitality business operators over the way they’ve been treated during the Covid-19 crisis.

Sponsored by Diageo

How to install draught cocktails

11-Dec-2020 By The Morning Advertiser

The growth of draught cocktail technology means pubs with little time or bar space to make cocktails can now easily tap into this profitable category.

Oakman Group launches £4.5m share issue to bankroll expansion

11-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

The independent owner and operator of 27 pubs across southern England and the West Midlands, the Oakman Group, is seeking £4.5m to accelerate plans to double its estate by 2026.

MA's Review of the week

‘People want to support us, but we just can’t operate’

11-Dec-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with PS the Pub Company’s Carlos Maidana to discuss the big issues from the pub sector this week.

Deltic on the brink of administration

11-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Britain’s largest nightclub operator, the Deltic Group, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.

Enter the Publican Awards to help us champion the trade

10-Dec-2020 By Ed Bedington

This year has been a devastating one for the pub and bar sector which has left very little for us to celebrate.

Pub sales plummet 84% on first post-lockdown weekend

10-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

A British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) survey suggests that more than half of operators expect to close pubs that re-opened after England’s second national lockdown if trade doesn’t improve in the coming weeks.

Marston’s records £397m pre-tax loss

10-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Pub operator Marston’s has revealed that it made a total loss of £397.1m during the year to 3 October 2020 following the closure of its near 1,400 strong pub estate for 15 weeks.

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.

Stonegate reveals rent credits for tiers

09-Dec-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Stonegate Pub Company has unveiled three rent credit systems for its leased and tenanted arm – Ei Publican Partnerships – differing for each tier.

Property round-up

16-site pub company sold, Maureen Heffernan opens Richmond’s first private members club

08-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

In addition to news of the Ladhar Group’s deal for Sir John Fitzgerald, Leisure PR boss Maureen Heffernan unveiled the Richmond Club and a Hampshire-based pub couple have acquired three pub freeholds.

Officials accused of ‘intimidation’ over enforcement of pub rules

08-Dec-2020 By MCA Insight

Police have been accused of “overzealous” enforcement of tier two restrictions in pubs, with landlords reporting officers arguing over ’substantial meal’ regulations and throwing out customers after they finished eating.

Looming £1.6bn unsettled hospitality rent bill threatens ‘new year bloodbath’

07-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Industry trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has warned that the sector faces a ‘new year bloodbath of hospitality business failures’ unless rent moratoria are extended.

MA’s review of the week

Scotch egg debate shows pub hardship not taken seriously

04-Dec-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington spoke to celebrity chef and pub operator Tom Kerridge about the big issues from the news this week.

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.

Liberation Group ‘disappointed but understanding’ ahead of Jersey hospitality circuit breaker

03-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Pubs, bars and restaurants in Jersey will close for up to a month from a minute past midnight on Friday 4 December in order to tackle a surge in Covid-19 cases on the island.

‘I could see operator managed being 25% of the portfolio’ says Hawthorn boss

03-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

After increasing its operator managed pub business from 10% to 20% of its estate in the last year through acquisitions and tenanted and leased conversions – Hawthorn CEO Mark Davies expects the managed march to continue in 2021.

Star reveals rent discounts for December

03-Dec-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Heineken’s pub arm Star Pubs & Bars has announced rent reductions to reflect tiered restrictions in England.

Jobs round-up

Tim Martin sells £5m JDW shares, £30m NHS contract for former publican, Star and Greene King cut rent

03-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

In addition to senior people moves at Budweiser Brewing Group, the Portman Group and Budweiser Budvar UK, there’s news from JDW, Greene King and Star Pubs & Bars.

Loungers posts profit despite lockdowns and Covid measures

02-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

The operator of 168 café bars under its Lounge and Cosy Club concepts managed to turn a profit in the 24 weeks to 4 October despite Covid-19 slashing its revenue by a third.

Property round-up

Former Little Chef owner weighs up Stonegate/Ei sites, Mark Hix opens pub

02-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

In addition to acquisitions by The Inn Collection Group, Black Country Ales and Coastal & Country in the past week, there's news of interest in a 42 pub package and a celebrity chef entering the pub game.

Greene King tied tenants in tier 2 and 3 to get 90% rent concessions

01-Dec-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pubco Greene King has confirmed its tenants in tiers two and three will receive a 90% rent concession when national lockdown restrictions are eased tomorrow (Wednesday 2 December).

Star licensees urge Government action to save ‘thousands of wet led pubs’

01-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Nationwide pub operator Star Pubs & Bars, and a number of its licensees, have implored the Government to reconsider Covid secure measures imposed on the hospitality sector under its new tiered alert system.

Hawthorn Leisure unveils community-focused rebrand

30-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

Real estate investment trust NewRiver’s 700-strong pub arm will rebrand as ‘Hawthorn: The Community Pub Company’ as it seeks to become the UK’s number one community operator.