Operators

Train strikes hit trade at Nightcap, revenue up 42.7% in FY23

23-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Current trade at Nightcap has been hit by rail strikes and warm weather but revenue in its financial year to July has risen by 42.7%.

Shepherd Neame expands tenanted estate

21-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepheard Neame has expanded its tenanted estate with the acquisition of a historic seafront pub in the South-East.

Famed sandwich maker and publican to open third pub

20-Nov-2023 By The Morning Advertiser

Sandwich supremo Max Halley and publican Ethan Davids are opening their third pub together later this month.

Punch appoints ex-Peach MD Stoddart as strategic adviser

20-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Co-founder of Peach Pubs Hamish Stoddart has joined Punch Pubs & Co as a strategic adviser to its board.

Joseph Holt pub launches dementia support group

18-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A Joseph Holt site has set up a group for those with dementia and their carers after the operator’s mother-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

The Turks Head: ‘The business is in the best shape’

17-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Business is in better shape than ever at the Turks Head in south London, which took home the title of Best City/Urban Pub at the Great British Pub Awards 2023.

Star invests more than £50m into pub estate

17-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Star Pubs & Bars has injected more than £51m into its pub estate since September last year.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Business rates support ‘is the big one’

17-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington spoke to Oak Taverns managing director Simon Collinson to get his thoughts on the week's news and the upcoming Autumn Statement on Wednesday 22 November.

Marston’s CEO Andrea replaced by Merlin strategy officer

17-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Marston’s CEO Andrew Andrea has agreed with the board he will step down from his role with immediate effect and will be replaced by Merlin Entertainment chief strategy officer Justin Platt.

Stonegate CEO Ian Payne to retire

17-Nov-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Stonegate chairman and founder Ian Payne MBE has decided to retire at the end of January 2024 and step down from his role with the group after 13 years.

‘Tale of two halves’ as Young’s reports ‘strong’ results

16-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

London-based pub operator Young’s has reported a 12% lift to its adjusted profit before tax and labelled the 26-week period of its financial year as a “tale of two halves”.

Young’s bid to acquire City Pub Group, valued at £162m

16-Nov-2023 By Shwetali Sapte

The boards of Young’s and City Pub Group have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash and share acquisition to which Young’s will acquire City Pub Group.

Emeny hails ‘excellent financial results’ at Fuller’s

15-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pub operator Fuller’s has delivered “excellent financial results” with like-for-like (lfl) sales up 12.7% in the first half of its financial year (H1 2024) compared to the same period last year.

Hydes opens £3.6m premium dining pub

15-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

North west brewery and pub retailer Hydes has launched its first new establishment in five years, following the opening of its latest premium pub dining venue on the Wirral, Merseyside.

Star licensee marks 40th anniversary

14-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Operators at a village pub in Lincolnshire have been recognised for their service to the community on their 40th anniversary at the helm.

Logistics staff contracted by Greene King to strike in Xmas run-up

14-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Lorry drivers and warehouse staff contracted by Greene King will take part in a series of strikes after a below-inflation pay offer was rejected.

Loungers opens four sites, roll-out plans on track

13-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Loungers boss Nick Collins has expressed his joy at opening four sites since mid-September and confirmed the company’s fast-track roll-out plans are on track.

Pubs community role needs recognising

13-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Government needs to recognise and support the important role pubs play in the community, according to the chief executive of a leading family brewer.

Operator branded 'angry little man' by customer expecting free drinks

10-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

A pub operator has been forced to put a sign on his frozen cocktail machine after a customer helped themselves then complained the drinks were not free on Trip Advisor.

Review of the Week

‘It doesn't feel like inflation is under control’

10-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington spoke to Brucan Pubs’ James Lyon-Shaw to get his take on the week's events.

Ollie Vaulkhard: 'It’s not the Government’s job to save you'

10-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Vaulkhard Group is weathering financial challenges, but trade is strong and the director predicts great times ahead for hospitality.

Admiral Taverns posts improved turnover and EBITDA

09-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Despite economic headwinds creating a “challenging backdrop” for its licensees, Admiral Taverns has posted improved turnover and EBITDA figures in its 2023 financial year (FY23) results.

Like-for-like sales up 9.5% at JDW

08-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has reported like-for-like (lfl) sales in the first 14 weeks of its financial year (FY24) were 9.5% higher than the same period last year.

Peach Pubs key to future growth for Revolution

07-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Peach Pubs is key to future growth for Revolution Bars Group as many younger guests at its other brands are being impacted most by inflationary pressures.

BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: Ollie Vaulkhard is playing the long game

07-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Light streams into the Newcastle-based eatery Bealim House as Ollie Vaulkhard logs on for our interview.

Oakman updates on challenges and improvements

06-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

CEO of multiple operator Oakman Group Peter Borg-Neal has updated the company’s response to industry challenges and trading improvements in a recent shareholder letter.

Hospitality investment unlikely without business rate action

06-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Government is “walloping” the pub sector on business rates and stifling the willingness for companies to invest into sites and new developments, the chief executive of Fuller’s has warned.

Green Salmon Co boss: ‘pubs are a crucial part of the community’

03-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

In the latest Review of the Week, The Morning Advertiser’s Nikkie Thatcher spoke with Green Salmon Company’s David Salmon about the past seven days.

EXCLUSIVE

North reopening ‘cherished’ bar

03-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator North has revealed it is reopening a ‘cherished’ site in Chapel Allerton next week following its closure last month (October).

'The best pubs are chaotic!'

01-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

Pub legend Oisín Rogers is all set to open his new pub project with Charlie Carroll, the Devonshire at Piccadilly, London

North Brewing opens first international site

31-Oct-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Leeds-based brewer and operator North Brewing has announced has opened its first international bar in Treviso, Italy.

Red Oak Taverns acquisition history

27-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Multi-site operator Red Oak Taverns has procured some 25 pubs across the country so far this year, bringing its total number of venues to more than 200.

Transferred Punch pubs key to revenue boost

27-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Punch Pubs & Co’s move to convert leased and tenanted pubs to its managed division has been cited as the “predominant driving force” for a 10.2% lift in revenue in its trading update for the 52 weeks ended 13 August 2023.

Star injects more than £1.5m into Welsh pubs

26-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Star Pubs & Bars has revealed a new look for its flagship site in Cardiff, Wales, following a £1.4m renovation project, its biggest single investment this year, and plans to plough a further £730k into Welsh venues.

Red Oak Taverns to acquire 17 St Austell pubs

24-Oct-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Red Oak Taverns is set to complete the purchase of 17 sites from St Austell Brewery’s leased and tenanted division, helping to further extend the former’s presence in the south west.

Miller & Carter defends tipping policy after backlash

24-Oct-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Steakhouse chain Miller & Carter has defended its tipping policy, after claims it was “unfair” and allegedly leaves some staff losing out on hundreds of pounds a month.

BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: Tom Davies of Brakspear

23-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Regrets? Tom Davies of Brakspear doesn’t dwell on them.

Fuller’s: Pub closures will increase tenfold without business rates relief

23-Oct-2023 By Hannah Currie, MCA

Pub and restaurant closures will increase tenfold unless the government finds a more equitable way of raising tax through business rates, says Simon Emeny, chief executive of Fuller’s.

Greene King invests more than £15m into Hive Pubs

20-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Greene King Pub Partners, the leased and tenanted arm of Greene King, has invested more than £15m into its Hive Pubs model since its inception two years ago.

OPINION

Company culture: how we can stand out from the pack

20-Oct-2023 By Kamran Dehdashti and Jamie Hazeel, founders, Little Door & Co

In the current economic climate, many hospitality businesses are finding the conditions tougher than ever – margins are being squeezed across the board, and revenue is less reliable and consistent than before.

Brakspear boss: business rates rise threat hangs over the sector

20-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies has described the threat of business rates rises and the current discount being axed in April next year as “the Sword of Damocles” hanging over the sector.

Ex-England cricketers host ‘thank you’ lunch for firefighters

17-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Cat & Wickets pubco, owned by former cricket stars Harry Gurney and Stuart Broad, has hosted a ‘thank you’ lunch for the firefighters who doused the blaze that destroyed its Tap & Run pub in June 2022.

Revolution announces revenue lift as cost-of-living bites

17-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Revolution Bars Group has announced a revenue lift of £11.8m to £152.6m while like-for-like (lfl) sales fell by 8.7% in its preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 1 July 2023.

Review of the Week

'Sober October is probably a damn good thing'

13-Oct-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington met up with top gastropub operator Brendan Padfield to get his take on the week's news.

Loungers targets record number of openings

13-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Loungers CEO Nick Collins has cited the “continued evolution” of the business as key to its sales growth in a trading update for the 24 weeks ended 1 October 2023.

Brakspear pumps £2m into two L&T sites

13-Oct-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

South east-based multiple operator Brakspear is investing £2m into two of its leased and tenanted sites after signing agreements with growing pub groups Little & Large and Friendship and Beer.

TRG to be taken private in £506m deal

12-Oct-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

The Restaurant Group is to be acquired by Apollo Global Management in a cash acquisition valuing the company at around £506m.

Greene King opens 'milestone' 40th Hive Pub

11-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Greene King Pub Partners, the leased and tenanted franchise division of Greene King, has announced the launch of its 40th Hive Pub.

Marston's sales up 10% as pubco reduces head office costs

11-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Pub operator and brewer Marston’s has reported like-for-like sales in the 52 weeks to Saturday 30 September were 10.1% up compared with the same period last year as well as a £5m reduction in head office costs.

‘I need people to come through the doors’

10-Oct-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Times are tough for one Michelin-starred gastropub, which, despite slashing the menu by £25 midweek, is not as busy as it would like to be.