Pubco + Head Office

52-week results: total revenue rises at Marston's

Marston’s revenue rises 9%

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.

Phil Dixon on the viability of pubs

OPINION

'Is a pub ever truly viable?'

By Phil Dixon, trade adviser

It was 1983. I was the Midland’s Senior Officer at the National Licensed Victuallers Association.

Sector attacked: can Zoe Eliasson meeting a community plea also help hospitality's standing?

OPINION

Seeking positive feedback as a community stalwart

By Zoe Eliasson, licensee at the Boot at Sarratt, Hertfordshire

With our pub, the Boot at Sarratt (established 1729), being situated in the middle of our picturesque village, we had no choice but to agree to a Christmas plea from the Church and local primary school.

What's in the news 1 December

Review of the Week

Better Government leadership needed

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Fuller's CEO Simon Emeny to get his take on the week's events, from the Covid Inquiry to the death of a footballing icon.

Very positive: Loungers chief executive Nick Collins talks market strategy for next year with MCA (Pictured: Loungers Brigthside venue in Devon)

Loungers: ‘we’re very positive about 2024’

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.

Salary rise: since its introduction in 2016, the national living wage rate has increased by almost 60% (image: Getty/jax10289)

A look at NLW rises since it began

By Nikkie Thatcher

In light of the latest hike in the national living wage (NLW), The Morning Advertiser has delved into its history.

Deadline extension: operators now have until Friday 1 December to enter the Publican Awards

Extra time to enter 2024 Publican Awards

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.

Live Your Life award: HIT Training's Jill Whittaker with Keith Knowles (left) and Steve Alton (right)

Training excellence recognised at BII’s NITAs

By Gary Lloyd

Pubcos and individuals were honoured for their excellence in people development at the British Institute of Innkeeping’s (BII) National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs).

Out of print: Great British Pub Awards Pub of the Year owner Tim Bird says restaurants are above pubs when it comes to guide books

OPINION

Lack of guide books means people are not finding pubs

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.

What's in the news November 17

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Business rates support ‘is the big one’

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.

Farewell: Ian Payne MBE is stepping down at Stonegate

Stonegate CEO Ian Payne to retire

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.

On the market: all 25 former Wear Inns pubs are up for sale (credit: Getty/Shaun Taylor)

Administrators appointed to former Wear Inns pubco

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.

Charity champs: Chris Jowsey (right) with Jake Mills of Chase The Stigma

Admiral Taverns posts improved turnover and EBITDA

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.

Positive figures: JDW chair Tim Martin says the company is increasing spend at its pubs

Like-for-like sales up 9.5% at JDW

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.

'Tis the season: JDW's Christmas menu will be available from 15 November

JDW hikes Christmas dinner price by 13%

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has raised the price of its Christmas dinner by 13% for 2023, but the pub goliath claims it’s still “excellent value”.

Site success: the Journeyman in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire is reporting weekly sales figures of more than £60,000 (image: Oakman Group)

Oakman updates on challenges and improvements

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.

Sector figures: the report shows there were three net closures a day in the third quarter of 2023 (image: Getty/JuergenBosse)

Rate of site closures slows

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.

Portfolio growth: North is set to reopen Alley Cats next month

EXCLUSIVE

North reopening ‘cherished’ bar

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).

Property passport: Operators open sites across the globe

PROPERTY: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

BrewDog eyes Asia expansion after Hong Kong launch

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.

Sobering view: non-alcoholic occasions should be seen as an opportunity says Hari Fell

OPINION

Sober October deniers’ pubs will struggle to survive

By Hari Fell, Tudor Farmhouse Hotel, Clearwell, Gloucestershire, and founder of NoLo Cocktails

As a hotelier of 20 years and having given up alcohol more than four years ago, I read Gav Young’s opinion piece ‘A Pub is for life not for 10 months of the year’ with dismay.

Disparity: research shows no-shows are increasing but not all pubs are affected (credit: Getty/SolStock)

Pubs counter ‘no-shows double’ research claim

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.

Revenue up: total revenue at Punch Pubs & Co has risen to £313.5m

Transferred Punch pubs key to revenue boost

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.

Seasonal meetings: a change of menu to suit the colder months could attract more customers (credit: Getty/SolStock)

FEATURE - FOOD TRENDS

FEATURE: Food trends for winter

By Emma Eversham

Shorts and T-shirts have finally been replaced by sweaters and sou’westers as the UK’s weather resumes its usual service following an unseasonably warm and dry September and October.

Company deal: A.G. Barr acquires Rio from Hall & Woodhouse

Hall & Woodhouse offloads Rio

By MCA

Independent brewer and pub company Hall and Woodhouse has sold soft drinks brand Rio to A.G. Barr for £12.3m.

Money money money: Pubs reopen after impressive makeovers

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Morgan Pub Collective site opens after £270k refurb

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Morgan Pub Collective has taken on its sixth pub with Greene King Pub Partners, a Surrey operator has taken on his second pub and Brakspear pumps £2m into two L&T sites.

Spotlight

(credit: Getty/ViewApart) Experts give comment for the Beer Report 2024 The Morning Advertiser's Lock In Podcast episode 77 S4 Ep. 14: Stars in bars! (Feat. James May, Candice Brown and more) Competition kicked off: entry for the 2024 Great British Pub Awards is now open Hunt is under way for the Great British Pub of the Year The Morning Advertiser's Lock In podcast shortlisted for award Lock In podcast shortlisted for top award

Property of the week

KENT - HIGH QUALITY FAMILY FRIENDLY PUB

£ 60,000 - Leasehold

Busy location on coastal main road Extensively renovated detached public house Five trade areas (100)  Sizeable refurbished 4-5 bedroom accommodation Newly created beer garden (125) Established and popular business...

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