Pubco + Head Office

Finding more ways to prosper: Professor Victoria Wells

OPINION

Pubs have had to diversify to survive

By Victoria Wells, Professor of Sustainable Management School for Business and Society, University of York

As a pub researcher I’m almost always given pub (or beer) related gifts for Christmas and birthdays – Christmas 2023 was no exception.

Honoured: Tim Martin, Adam Handling and Stuart Broad

New Year’s Honours roll call review

By Gary Lloyd

The New Year Honours list always attracts attention and the recent awards were no exception as JD Wetherspoon (JDW) chairman Tim Martin received a knighthood for his services to hospitality and culture.

Toughest month: the pub remains a ‘wonderful place’ even for those abstaining

OPINION

Remember pubs during the ‘longest month of the year’

By Gav Young, licensee of the Plough & Barleycorn, Isle of Wight

So we are here, 2024 has begun. Much of the population will have powered through the festive indulgences in preparation for new year resolutions as we head into, arguably, the longest month of the year.

The Morning Advertiser's Lock In Podcast episode 70

The Lock In Podcast

New Year, new opportunities?

By Ed Bedington

The Lock In team take a look ahead to see what 2024 has in store, both the opportunities and the challenges and how you can embrace both.

Fresh challenge: taking on a pub or moving to a different site could be just what the doctor ordered (credit: getty/andresr)

The surge in applications to run a pub

By Gary Lloyd

“New year, new me.” So often the cry of someone who managed to survive the previous 365 days despite facing hammer blows all the way with the intention of reversing such misfortunes in the time it will take for the Earth to revolve around the sun again.

Stage stars: the Marston's pub of the year awards winners

Star shines as Marston’s T&L pub of the year

By Gary Lloyd

Publican Ally Heath praised her team after the Star in Penkridge saw off all other competitors to be crowned pub of the year in Marston’s tenanted & leased annual awards.

Looking back: pubs code adjudicator Fiona Dickie reflects on the past 12 months

OPINION

Looking back at 2023 and forward to 2024

By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

As we approach the new year, it is an opportunity to review some of the key milestones for the pubs code and the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) during 2023.

Prestigious event: the 2024 Publican Awards will return to Evolution London in March

PUBLICAN AWARDS

2024 Publican Awards finalists revealed

By Nikkie Thatcher

With the first stage of the rigorous judging process complete, the 2024 Publican Awards finalists can now be unveiled.

Trading update: ACI has shown great resilience amid ongoing challenges, says managing director James Nye

Anglian Country Inns reports strong revenue growth

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Anglian Country Inns (ACI) has revealed a 25.8% uptick in revenue, partly driven by price increases to offset inflationary costs with the majority coming from a rise in footfall.

We have to change: Hamish Stoddart is also a coach or non-executive to other smaller businesses.

OPINION

Everyone has to start saving the planet soon

By Hamish Stoddart, founder of Peach Pubs and strategic adviser to Punch Pubs

COP26 was the moment the UK and our industry came together to commit to try to play our part in keeping global warming to below 1.5°C.

Community care: Every year the Alexandra hosts free lunch for those spending Christmas Day alone

These pubs are serving up free meals this Christmas

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Enter one Wimbledon pub on 25 December and you’ll find a warmly lit sports bar twinkling with tinsel and abuzz with a mix of widowers, retail workers, au pairs, army lads and NHS staff sharing Christmas dinner over laughter and wine.

Tres bien: Wells & Co's two new French sites will add to the Sherlock Holmes and the Starfish (pictured below)

Wells & Co adds first new French sites since 2019

By Gary Lloyd

Bedford-based brewer and pub operator Wells & Co has expanded its French pub estate by two sites – welcoming the House of Parliament and HMS Victory in Bordeaux to its portfolio.

Sector review: the landscape is leaner but it is more balanced argues Christie & Co's Stephen Owens

OPINION

Where have all the pubs gone?

By Stephen Owens, managing director – Pubs & Restaurants, Christie & Co

It seems hardly a day goes by without the media commenting on the rate of pub closures or the rising price of a pint.

52-week results: total revenue rises at Marston's

Marston’s revenue rises 9%

By Gary Lloyd

Marston’s pub company has reported a 9% uplift in revenue in its preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 30 September 2023.

Phil Dixon on the viability of pubs

OPINION

'Is a pub ever truly viable?'

By Phil Dixon, trade adviser

It was 1983. I was the Midland’s Senior Officer at the National Licensed Victuallers Association.

Sector attacked: can Zoe Eliasson meeting a community plea also help hospitality's standing?

OPINION

Seeking positive feedback as a community stalwart

By Zoe Eliasson, licensee at the Boot at Sarratt, Hertfordshire

With our pub, the Boot at Sarratt (established 1729), being situated in the middle of our picturesque village, we had no choice but to agree to a Christmas plea from the Church and local primary school.

What's in the news 1 December

Review of the Week

Better Government leadership needed

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Fuller's CEO Simon Emeny to get his take on the week's events, from the Covid Inquiry to the death of a footballing icon.

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.

Salary rise: since its introduction in 2016, the national living wage rate has increased by almost 60% (image: Getty/jax10289)

A look at NLW rises since it began

By Nikkie Thatcher

In light of the latest hike in the national living wage (NLW), The Morning Advertiser has delved into its history.

Deadline extension: operators now have until Friday 1 December to enter the Publican Awards

Extra time to enter 2024 Publican Awards

By Nikkie Thatcher

The entry deadline for next year’s Publican Awards has been extended, meaning operators have an additional week to be in with a chance of being named the best of the best.

Live Your Life award: HIT Training's Jill Whittaker with Keith Knowles (left) and Steve Alton (right)

Training excellence recognised at BII’s NITAs

By Gary Lloyd

Pubcos and individuals were honoured for their excellence in people development at the British Institute of Innkeeping’s (BII) National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs).

Spotlight

The Morning Advertiser's Lock In Podcast episode 77 S4 Ep. 14: Stars in bars! (Feat. James May, Candice Brown and more) 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 The Morning Advertiser's Lock In podcast shortlisted for award Lock In podcast shortlisted for top award

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