All news articles for March 2024

Ayehsa Kalaji the Queen of Cups: How to make roasted fennel

DISH DECONSTRUCTED

How to make: Roasted fennel

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Veg doesn't need to be shunned away to a side dish but can proudly take centre stage, and Ayesha Kalaji's roasted fennel recipe proves just that.

Essential part of life: research shows consumers prioritise support for on-trade despite economic pressures (Credit: Getty/SolStock)

Consumers prioritise support for pubs

By Rebecca Weller

Almost two thirds of consumers believe pubs play a vital role in their local community and continue to prioritise on-trade visits despite economic pressures.

Adaptability and flexibility: SIBA rebrands with new name and logo to reflect extended membership

SIBA rebrands with new name and logo

By Rebecca Weller

The Society of Independent Brewers has debuted a new logo and a change of name to “reflect its expanding membership”.

Advice given: Nationwide Energy has outlined ways in which operators can improve their credit score, which can be beneficial when considering suppliers (image: Getty/Galeanu Mihai)

UTILITY UPDATE WITH NATIONWIDE ENERGY

Find out the latest on the utility sector

By Nationwide Energy

With energy markets continuing to fluctuate and operators facing uncertain costs, the MA has teamed up with Nationwide Energy Consultants to provide our readers with a regular update to keep you one step ahead when it comes to the utility sector.

Power list: Hospitality celebrated at the Northern Restaurant and Bar show (Credit: Getty/The Good Brigade)

Top Fifty Hospitality Power List 2024 unveiled

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Kuits NRB Top Fifty Hospitality Power List 2024 was unveiled at the opening of the annual Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) trade show in Manchester yesterday.

Integrity & progression: Abi Dunn advised on management retention

MA LEADERS

What matters to your managers?

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Abi Dunn, the founder of hospitality recruitment agency Sixty Eight People, advised on how to retain managers at the MA Leaders conference in Liverpool last week.

Corner plot: North Laine Brewhouse is stand-out pub in Brighton

Laine’s flagship Brighton pub building on market

By Gary Lloyd

The freehold site of Laine Pub Company’s flagship pub has been placed on the market – but the pubco insists the sale won’t affect the pub and it will be business as usual.

Industry recognition: National Pubwatch recognised brave pub staff at its conference

National Pubwatch rewards brave staff

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

National Pubwatch has recognised three members of pub staff for taking action to save lives and provide safe drinking environments for customers.

Raise a glass: Richard and Donna English celebrate two decades behind the bar

Couple celebrates 20 years behind bar

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Licensees of the Cavendish Arms, Cartmel, Cumbria, have received an award to mark their 20th anniversary at the pub, which is the oldest in the village.

 City landscape: (l-r) Elaine Clarke of Baa Bar, John Ennis of GSG Hospitality and Iain Hoskins of Ma Pubs set the scene in Liverpool with The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington

MA LEADERS

What is operating in Liverpool like?

By Nikkie Thatcher

A buoyant Saturday trade, the impact of businesses continuing to work from home and the need for stronger infrastructure were three of the topics discussed when it comes to operating in the seaport city.

Drinks Tracker: economic challenges continue to damage drinks sales (Credit: Getty/DGLimages)

Economic climate slows drinks sales growth

By Rebecca Weller

Managed venues closed February with further year-on-year drops in drinks sales as “shifting dynamics” make growth more “challenging”, particularly for the spirits category.

Progress made: businesses are moving in the right way

OPINION

OPINION: Sustainability comes of age in pubs and hospitality

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

I attended Planet Peach – the hospitality Sustainability Summit – this week and Which?, the consumer magazine, released a sustainability report on pubs and restaurants.

Who is behind lesbian bar La Camionera London

Meet the founder of London’s new lesbian bar

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The founder of a new east London lesbian bar, which has hit its fundraising target of £50,000 to launch a permeant venue, has opened up about future plans.

Female power: we've spoken with a number of women from across the sector

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2024

Head office stars show how it's done

By Gary Lloyd

The Morning Advertiser has spoken to some of the best people in head offices in celebration of this year's International Women's Day.

International Women's Day CEOs

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2024

Leaders shine on IWD 2024

By Gary Lloyd

The Morning Advertiser has collated advice and life stories from some of the key voices in the sector – namely CEOs – in celebration of this year's International Women's Day.

Sector celebration: many female operators have had their say on #InspiringInclusion for International Women's Day

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2024

Female operators share how the sector can #InspireInclusion

By Rebecca Weller

The Morning Advertiser has spoken to a number of female operators leading the on-trade in 2024 to hear how the industry can #InspireInclusion this International Women's Day (IWD).

IWD 2024

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2024

How the drinks industry can #InspireInclusion

By Rebecca Weller

To celebrate International Women's Day 2024 the Morning Advertiser spoke to some of the leading women in the drinks industry to discover how the sector can #InspireInclusion.

Sector overview: The duo outlined challenges and future hopes

Hickory’s CEO ‘excited’ for future

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Hickory’s founder Neil McDonnell and pub owner James Kowszun outlined the opportunities in the sector at the MA Leaders Conference in Liverpool yesterday (7 March).

Licensing hub: Advice on licensing requirements for outdoor events with Poppleston Allen  (Credit:Getty/sommart)

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Licensing requirements for outdoor events

By Imogen Moss, Associate Solicitor, Poppleston Allen

It’s March already, and most of us will be hoping that the ‘in like a lion, out like lamb’ folklore stands true.

Pubs and breweries disappointed by Spring Budget 2024

Spring Budget 'profoundly disappointing' for pubs

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The pub sector has reacted with “extreme disappointment” to the Spring Budget, with slashed VAT and reform of business rates needed to make a real difference.

New products: This week's round-up features Hendricks Gin, Adnams, Cîroc, Krombacher and more.

NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP

Hendricks releases limited-edition variant

By Rebecca Weller

This week's round-up includes new products from Hendricks, Adnams, Cîroc , BrewDog Distillery, Krombacher, Cawston Press and more.

Freeze ends: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (fourth from left) has taken no action on business rates (credit: UK Parliament/Maria Unger)

SPRING BUDGET 2024

Business rates to go up as freeze ends

By Gary Lloyd

Despite the hospitality sector’s calls for a reduced business rates burden in the Spring Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s lack of action on the subject means companies in England will endure a combined tax hike of £1.66bn from 1 April.

Was there a hospitality VAT cut in the Spring Budget 2024

Gov ignores VAT cut pleas in Budget

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Despite pleas from across the hospitality industry, the Chancellor did not announce any changes to VAT in the Spring Budget today (6 March).

What's the story of Amy Lamé? The Morning Advertiser finds out

THE BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: 'You only get one chance to be London's first night czar'

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

On Saturday I’m cutting shapes at Fabric. On Monday I’m at City Hall to meet London’s night czar Amy Lamé. 15 minutes before the interview, I phone to get let in. After some confusion, the press officer double checks, “you are at Docklands right?” No....

Greene King to release two cask beers from seasonal calendar

THE CASK PROJECT

GK to release two cask ales for spring

By Gary Lloyd

Suffolk-based brewer and pub operator Greene King is releasing two seasonal cask ales for pubs to order in time for spring.

The Morning Advertiser's Lock In podcast episode 74

The Lock In Podcast

Ahead of the game!

By Ed Bedington

The podcast team tackles the topic of pub games, from old school to new and ask how pub gaming is evolving and changing in the modern age.

How can I increase RTD sales at my pub

DRINKS MASTERCLASS

RTD trends you need to know

By Rebecca Weller

As trends within the RTD sector shift and younger generations catch on to what the category can offer, publicans would do well to heed some expert advice.