Legal

UKH calls for VAT cut to boost tourism

23-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

UKHospitality (UKH) has called for the Government to address the UK’s lack of competitiveness on the global tourism market, beginning with a cut to VAT for hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses.

Autumn Statement

What's the opposite of exceeding expectations?

22-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

Expectations ahead of the Autumn Statement were already pretty low in the pub sector and I think it’s fair to say they have been duly met.

Mixed reaction to Autumn Statement from sector bosses

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Sector chiefs have issued a mixed response to Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement with many welcoming parts of it while others see “missed opportunities”.

AUTUMN STATEMENT 2023

NLW increase will ‘eliminate low pay altogether’, NI contributions down 2%

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

UK Government Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the rise in national living wage from £10.42 to £11.44 from April next year will “eliminate low pay altogether”.

AUTUMN STATEMENT 2023

Business rates discount extended

22-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

On Wednesday 22 November, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced an extension to the 75% discount for business rates up to £100k for the sector as part of the Autumn Statement.

AUTUMN STATEMENT 2023

Hunt confirms alcohol duty freeze

22-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday 22 November Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a freeze to alcohol duty until August next year.

What is expected in the Autumn Statement?

22-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will reportedly announce cuts to business taxes and a National Insurance reduction in today's Autumn Statement.

NLW rise could put many operators ‘over the edge’

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Sector bosses fear the Government announcement on a rise in the national living wage (NLW) could put many hospitality businesses “over the edge”.

James Watt accuses Durham council of 'staggering incompetence'

22-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

BrewDog’s James Watt has condemned Durham County Council for its “staggering display of incompetence” regarding the firm’s new site in the city, yet the council says it has worked "tirelessly" to help the Ellon-based firm.

Confidence rises but business rates must be addressed

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Almost half of hospitality chiefs said they are confident about the sector during the upcoming 12 months despite a multitude of cost pressures, including business rates.

Inn Collection completes multi-million-pound refurb

21-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

This week's property round-up features refurbishments and investments from Inn Collection, Admiral Taverns, Roxy Leisure and Joseph Holt.

Some 20% of firms at risk of closure in early 2024

20-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

More than a fifth of night-time economy firms face collapsing in January 2024 without “substantial tax reductions”, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned.

Number of pub and bar insolvencies jumps 66% YOY

20-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The number of pub and bar company insolvencies soared by two thirds in the year to September as high inflation and interest rates make turning a profit “impossible”.

OPINION

Lack of guide books means people are not finding pubs

20-Nov-2023 By Tim Bird, owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns

Where have all the guides gone? That is my question and I am not referring to the helpful folk who talk us around a stately home or indeed the younger version who help the community, collect badges and, in my experience, bake rather nice cakes for charity.

CAMRA: 'unlawful pub demolition should be illegal'

17-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has urged the Government to strengthen planning policy and enforcement legislation to safeguard historic venues following a parliamentary debate on the protection of heritage pubs.

Duty increase will 'damage growth and prosperity'

16-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Voices from across the brewery sector have joined calls urging the Chancellor to scrap the duty increase in February next year in next week’s Autumn Statement.

LICENSING HUB – LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Ho! Ho! No! How to deal with festive drunkenness

16-Nov-2023 By Alex Tomlinson, licensing solicitor, Poppleston Allen

Now that we’ve seen the back of Halloween and Bonfire Night, and the annual debate has started over whether the John Lewis advert is the best campaign on TV, it must be fast approaching Christmas.

Further strike action expected to cause Christmas trade disruption

16-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The hospitality sector is braced for further Christmas disruption after train drivers announced plans to stage a fresh round of strikes in early December.

Business rates rise threatens future of high streets

16-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

UKHospitality (UKH) and other trade bodies have written to the chancellor urging him to freeze the business rates multiplies and extend existing reliefs in the Autumn Statement.

Inflation reduction 'no time to break out champagne'

15-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Decline in headline rate to inflation “encouraging” but “no time to break out the champagne” for hospitality firms, industry leaders have said.

Administrators appointed to former Wear Inns pubco

15-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The property company that operated north-east-based pub business Wear Inns after it was acquired in August 2018 has gone into administration meaning all 25 sites are now on the market.

Managed pubs provide bright spot despite sales growth slowdown

15-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Sales growth slowed at managed pubs in October due to poor weather, including Storm Babet.

EXCLUSIVE

Admiral refutes 'rack and ruin' claims

15-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Admiral Taverns has hit back at claims it has allowed a north Lincolnshire pub to go to “rack and ruin” in a bid to make way for building developments on the site.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

The Piano Works moves to Nightcap venue

15-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Nightcap, Loungers and Hydes have recently launched new sites across the country.

Hospitality leaders call for ‘urgent action’ in Autumn Statement

10-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Publicans, chefs and pubcos are among those who have signed an open letter calling or 'urgent action' ahead of this month’s Autumn Statement.

Autumn Statement 2023: how can Gov support the sector?

10-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

With the Autumn Statement due to take place in less than two weeks, The Morning Advertiser (MA) has looked at what voices across the sector want from the Chancellor.

London tube strikes over Xmas 'challenging' for sector

10-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Hospitality firms in London “poised for an exceptionally challenging festive period” as RMT members vote to extend industrial action in the capital.

Lord: Gov must make major statement on 22 November

09-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Government must make positive changes in the upcoming Autumn Statement because pubs are already in a precarious position says night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Top tips for planning Christmas fetes and events

09-Nov-2023 By David Inzani, partner, Poppleston Allen

As the holiday season approaches, licensees are no doubt gearing up to make the most of the boost in trade that the festive season can bring. Here are some top tips on licensing matters that we are commonly asked about at this time:

Christmas hopes pinned on rail strikes deal

08-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Christmas will “come early” for hospitality businesses if RMT members vote in agreement of a new deal that could see the end of rail strikes.

King's speech will 'unite or divide' sector and authorities

08-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The measures announced in the King’s Speech will either “unite or divide” the sector and authorities, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned.

King's Speech start of 'disappointing agenda' for sector

08-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The King’s Speech marked the start of a “disappointing agenda” for the hospitality industry at a “crucial” and “challenging time” for many firms, voices from across the sector have said.

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Robinsons and Almond Pubs invest £500k into Manchester site

08-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

In this week's property round-up, Almond Pubs director Vicki Williams discusses the new look for the Fletcher's Arms in Manchester and ongoing "conversations" about future partnerships with Robinsons Brewery.

Water supply issues force Surrey pub to close

06-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Pubs in Surrey were left without water on the “busiest day” of the week, potentially costing firms “thousands”, with much of the area still “left in the dark” about when their supply will return, one operator told The Morning Advertiser.

68% of pubs allow non-paying guests to use toilets

06-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The majority of pubs allow non-paying guests to use their toilet but urge customers to ask permission first and consider charity donations in lieu of a purchase, adding hospitality venues are “public houses not public conveniences”.

Rate of site closures slows

06-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

While the number of Britain’s licensed premises dropped by 3.6% over the past 12 months, the pace has slowed as the ear has gone on.

Firms to reduce investment and staffing without rates help

04-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

More than half of hospitality businesses will be forced to cut staffing levels and reduce investment without Government intervention on business rates, research has found.

Sector 'deeply concerned' as BoE keeps interest rates at 5.25%

03-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Industry leaders have expressed “deep concern” for the future of the sector as interest rates remaining at 5.25% “piles further pressure” on hospitality firms.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Licensing authorities and how they hold the key to saving the hospitality sector

03-Nov-2023 By Felix Faulkner, solicitor, Poppleston Allen

The recent report on the declining number of British licensed premises in 2023 has sparked concern within the hospitality industry and licensed trade

POLL

Should pubs allow non-paying guests to use the toilet?

01-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Should pubs allow non-paying customers to use the toilet? While it may be seen as the hospitable thing to do, there can be a cost to operators involved and rude guests to contend with.

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

BrewDog eyes Asia expansion after Hong Kong launch

01-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

It's been a big month for BrewDog, with new sites launching in Hong Kong and Amsterdam, and now the operator is looking to further spread its wings into Asia.

PCA review divides opinion

01-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Voices from the sector have clashed over the results of the review into the operation and performance of the pubs code adjudicator (PCA).

Pub closure stats show 'uphill battle' faced by firms

31-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The growing number of business closures in the sector demonstrate the “sheer weight” of escalating costs and the “catastrophic predicament” faced by many hospitality firms, industry leaders have said.

Pubs forced to close due to flooding

31-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Pubs across the country have lost thousands of pounds worth of trade and stock due to heavy rain and flooding – with one site even welcoming some fishy guests.

Number of licensed venues drop to below 100,000

30-Oct-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The number of licensed premises has decreased by almost a third (31%) in the past 20 years, according to new figures.

750 pubs set to close in first half of 2024

28-Oct-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) is calling for Government action after new data revealed 750 pubs are set to close in the first half of 2024.

Storm Babet sees drinks sales fall after eight weeks of growth

27-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Year-on-year drinks sales by value fell for the first time in eight weeks during the week to Saturday 21 October.

Pubs counter ‘no-shows double’ research claim

27-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The unwelcome sight of increased numbers of ‘no-shows’ has reared its ugly head once again in the sector but not all pubs The Morning Advertiser spoke to are convinced the situation is getting worse.

Sector backs wellbeing scheme for staff in big numbers

26-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pubcos including Greene King, BrewDog and St Austell Brewery are among more than 100 hospitality groups that have pledged to improve training and support for their staff.

43 late-night firms vanishing per week

26-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

More than 8,000 businesses have vanished from the late-night sector since 2020, new figures released by the Night-Time Industries association (NTIA) have revealed.