Operators

Standing out: Little Door & Co managing director and co-founder Kamran Dehdashti (left) with director and co-founder Jamie Hazeel

OPINION

Company culture: how we can stand out from the pack

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.

Positive update: Armado Lounge in Plymouth

Loungers targets record number of openings

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.

Company investment: Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies (far right) with Manu Bhatt (third from right) and Richard Brown (far left) of Little & Large Pub Company and team members from the Running Horses

Brakspear pumps £2m into two L&T sites

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.

Development opportunities: TRG acquired by Apollo Global Management (Credit: Getty/Martin Barraud)

TRG to be taken private in £506m deal

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.

Improved outlook: Marston's reports 10.1% sales increase

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

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.

Head-to-head: M&B to rival Greene King's US-style barbecue operation with new smokehouse opening (Credit: Getty/luchezar)

EXCLUSIVE

M&B to launch US-style barbecue venue

By The Morning Advertiser

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) are set to go head-to-head with Greene King with the launch of a new operation focused on "Slow ‘n Low" US-style barbecue food.

Who were the winner in the Punch awards?

Best pubs in Punch estate celebrated

By Ed Bedington

The best Punch pub operators have been unveiled following a rigorous process to pick out the best from the company’s 1,300 businesses.

Significantly stronger: JDW reports 9.9% sales increase (Pictured: JDW chairman Tim Martin)

JDW reports 9.9% sales increase

By Rebecca Weller

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has reported like-for-like sales were up 9.9% in the nine weeks to 1 October 2023 compared to the same period last year.

What's in the news 5 October

Review of the Week

'National living wage is very inflationary'

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington catches up with award winning operator Clive Price of Barons Pub Company for his take on the week's news.

Great scope: Andrew Bush says Greene King apprenticeships cover a huge variety of job roles

How the apprentice can become a master

By Gary Lloyd

A recent survey by Greene King found 19% of parents feel university is not the right choice for their children so The Morning Advertiser caught up with chief people & transformation officer Andrew Bush to find out about the opportunities offered with...

Record results: Jonathan Neame is confident for the future

‘Record revenues’ achieved by Shepherd Neame

By Gary Lloyd

Shepherd Neame CEO Jonathan Neame is confident “the turmoil of the past few years is now settling” as the company achieved “record revenues” in the 52 weeks ended 24 June 2023.

On the market: JD Wetherspoon has appointed two estate agents to sell 11 of its pubs (credit: Getty/JanpenBoonbao)

JDW to sell 11 pubs

By Gary Lloyd

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has appointed estate agents Savills and CBRE to sell 11 of its pubs.

Advice given: delegates at The Morning Advertiser's MA Leaders event in Bristol heard about recruiting staff from overseas

MA LEADERS CLUB

Tips on recruiting chefs from overseas

By Nikkie Thatcher

Operators attending the latest MA Leaders Club in Bristol heard how one business recruited from overseas to help ease staff shortages.

City focus: members of the MA Leaders Club gathered in Bristol for the last meeting of the year (image: Getty/Andy Sage)

MA LEADERS CLUB

Operators reveal the secrets behind trading in Bristol

By Nikkie Thatcher

Sustainability and independent venues are important to the pubgoers of Bristol, delegates at The Morning Advertiser's MA Leaders Club heard in the city this week (Wednesday 13 September).

Hidden costs: Karen Errington of top gastropub the Rat at Anick outlines how rising prices are impacting her business

OPINION

'It's much harder to keep people happy'

By Karen Errington, the Rat, Anick, Northumberland

When I was asked to write an opinion piece on the issues that affect us in the industry today, it was nigh on impossible to write about anything other than rising costs and the struggle for us small businesses to stay viable.

(image: Getty/sturti)

Stonegate launches dynamic pricing

By Ed Bedington

The UK’s largest pub group has launched a new system of dynamic pricing, which could see prices increase in some pubs during busier periods.

Good timing: Bath Pub Company co-founder Joe Cussens (pictured) told the MA he was looking forward to doing something different following St Austell acquirement

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

'Good timing' for St Austell takeover of Bath Pub Co

By Rebecca Weller

After a “tumultuous few years’” in the sector, managing director and co-founder of the Bath Pub Company, Joe Cussens, told The Morning Advertiser (MA) it was time for a “new chapter” for both him and the business.

Hugely valued: TRG chair Ken Hanna to step down (Pictured: Brunning & Price site the Roe Deer in Wordsley, Stourbridge, West Midlands)

TRG chair to step down

By Rebecca Weller

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has announced its chairman, Ken Hanna, will step down.

Operator opinion: 'It’s quite depressing that none of the parties are offering any solution to the continuing UK labour shortages', says Brendan Padfield

OPINION

Batten down and call out Brexit

By Brendan Padfield, owner, the Unruly Pig, Bromeswell, Suffolk

As autumn beckons, sadly further clouds appear to be gathering for the hospitality sector. Many of our team at the Unruly Pig are not alone facing whopping increases in their mortgage payments from October to December, which will significantly adversely...

Array of experience: managing director of Boots Opticians James Arrow appointed as new Brewdog chief operating officer (Pictured: BrewDog's Las Vegas bar)

BrewDog appoints new COO

By Rebecca Weller

Scottish brewer and pub operator BrewDog has appointed James Arrow as its new chief operating officer (COO).

Celebration: Licensee looks back on her time at Lancashire pub

Licensee celebrates 40 years behind bar

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Licensee Lorraine Hewitson celebrated her 40-year milestone behind the bar at the Lancashire-based coaching inn the Royal Oak, citing the "extended family" of the community as her favourite part of the job.

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