Multi-Site Pub Operators

Admiral invests almost £1m in four pub revamps

19-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Admiral Taverns has invested close to £1m in the renovation and reopening of four of its pubs in the past month.

Festive lifeline needed to save firms

19-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

More than half of small to medium business (SME) owners will have to close, put plans on hold or find other employment if Christmas isn’t a successful trading period, research has found.

The Big Interview

'I've got a ridiculous addiction to pubs' - Stonegate's Payne takes a look back

19-Dec-2023 By Ed Bedington

After more than 50 years in the pub trade, Stonegate founder and chairman Ian Payne is hanging up his bar blade. The MA met up with him to chat over 50 amazing years in the trade.

Robinsons reopens pub after six-week transformation

19-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Stockport-based brewer and pub operator Robinsons has reopened the Navigation pub in Marple, Greater Manchester, following an extensive six-week long refurbishment.

Greene King kitchen academy offers work lifeline to prisoners

15-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brewer and pub operator Greene King is giving prisoners a second chance by opening a kitchen training academy at HMP & YOI Grampian prison.

Wells & Co adds first new French sites since 2019

15-Dec-2023 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.

Amber Taverns to reach 170 sites with four openings

13-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Amber Taverns will open pubs at four new locations in spring 2024.

Valiant acquires 4 pubs from McManus

13-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator McManus Pub Company has sold four Northamptonshire-based pubs to Valiant Pub Co.

Trio of community heroes hailed by Admiral division

13-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Admiral Taverns’ community wet-led Proper Pubs division has announced a trio of winners for its Community Hero Awards.

Admiral opens 200th Proper Pubs site

12-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Admiral Taverns has opened the 200th site in its Proper Pubs division in time for Christmas.

OPINION

Where have all the pubs gone?

11-Dec-2023 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.

Sky Sports to show record number of Premier League fixtures

08-Dec-2023 By The Morning Advertiser

Sky is set to show up to 100 more Premier League matches per season as part of a new four-year deal.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

'We need a fair deal, potential to make profit and ability to get on with it'

08-Dec-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with Jonathan Neame of Shepherd Neame to discuss the top headlines of the week.

Kidd joins Windmill to roll out Mc & Sons

07-Dec-2023 By Ed Bedington

Former Nightcap group commercial director Tom Kidd has joined forces with Windmill Taverns to roll out the company’s Mc & Sons concept.

BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: James Lyon-Shaw of Brucan Pubs

06-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Humble and honest are two of the qualities that come through clearly when talking to James Lyon-Shaw.

Marston’s revenue rises 9%

05-Dec-2023 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.

Couple plan to travel the UK after 27 years at the bar

04-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

A couple that has spent 27 years at the helm of a North Yorkshire pub and raised more than £100,000 for charity are quitting to travel the UK and spend time with friends.

M&B reports record market outperformance

01-Dec-2023 By Shwetali Sapte, MCA

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has reported financial results for the year ended 30 September 2023 (FY23), with like-for-like (lfl) sales growth of 9.1% against FY22.

'I was lucky!'

30-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

As the McElhinney family celebrate more than three decades in the UK pub trade, the MA speaks to founder Jack, and son Ryan, to find out the secrets to their success.

Ex-England cricketers’ pub celebrates first anniversary

29-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Ex-England cricketer Harry Gurney feels “pretty ecstatic” as his pub surpasses trading expectations while rounding off its first year of opening.

Loungers: ‘we’re very positive about 2024’

29-Nov-2023 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.

PROPERTY ROUND UP

Trio takes on Shepherd Neame pub

28-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Three friends have come to the helm of a Shepherd Neame pub, while another venue has launched a fish & chip shop as operators expand their estate.

Loungers to create 1,000 jobs, CFO to step down

28-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

All-day café-bar-restaurant operator Loungers said it is on track to create 1,000 jobs through the opening of 34 UK sites by the end of 2023.

MY PUB

My Pub: the Red Lion, Freshwater, Isle of Wight

27-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Red Lion in Freshwater, on the Isle of Wight, is located in a building more than 1,000 years ago and is a foodie heaven for many.

THE CASK PROJECT

Why Cask Ale Week is a highlight on the pub calendar

24-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Plenty has happened in recent times when it comes to the world of cask ale – not least Cask Ale Week, which was, as usual, a huge success.

Extra time to enter 2024 Publican Awards

24-Nov-2023 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.

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%.

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.

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.

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.

THE CASK PROJECT

GK launches Cask Ale Club for franchises and T&L division

21-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brewer and pub operator Greene King has launched a ‘Cask Ale Club’ initiative exclusively available to its ‘Pub Partners’.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

THE CASK PROJECT

Hook Norton brewer: quality and price point key for cask’s future

10-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Maintaining quality and not being scared to charge what your beer is worth will help cask beer stay at the forefront of UK pubs.

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.

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.

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.