Morning Advertiser celebrates 500 editions at William Reed

The Morning Advertiser has published its 500 edition this morning since it moved to William Reed Business Media ten years ago.

We asked a range of trade figures to tell us their thoughts on the "role and progress" of the Morning Advertiser as it reached this landmark. Below are a few of their comments — turn to this week's print edition to read many more.

Adam Fowle, chief executive, Mitchells & Butlers​

The MA is the most respected publication for the rapidly changing licensed trade. The team keeps pace with sector-specific issues and trends, builds lasting relationships with key industry figures and provides good advice and insight for independents, small companies and the big players alike. The MA's influence is widespread and plays an important role in highlighting the central role of pubs at the heart of our communities.

Steve Haslam, managing director, TLC Inns​

Having entered the trade just over 4 years ago I can honestly say that the ideas and innovative information that I have gleaned from the MA has been invaluable to me personally and has played a key role for our businesses. Keeping in touch with what's going on with news, views and especially articles from smaller operators makes every weeks publication a must read for our management team. TLC regard the MA as its bible, its contributions to an industry under immense pressure is always welcome on our doorstep, number 1 to us and the whole industry.

Ralph Findlay, chief executive, Marston's​

The Morning Advertiser has become the first port of call for opinion and insight in relation to developments in our sector. It is read by operators, company employees, analysts, investors - and politicians. Whether or not all of these parties agree the MA now provides a much needed forum for real debate on crucial industry issues. This is an achievement but, looking forward, the need for strong editorial comment and informed journalism will increase as the industry addresses the significant challenges posed by the economy, competition and market trends.

Karl Harrison, Fair Pint campaigner and licensee​

A good trade magazine can at once be a critic and an advocate for the sector it serves. The pub sector is dynamic, argumentative and diverse. It needs a trade magazine that reflects those qualities. The Morning Advertiser — in print, online and through its open forums - is getting more incisive and independent. There's no point in being slavish to the trade you cover and it's good to see the MA starting to look like the harder-hitting newspaper our sector needs.

Michael Kheng, managing director, Kurnia Intertrade​

The Morning Advertiser embraces all that is good in journalism. It informs, instructs, investigates, and is always impartial. It is quick to commend, and considered in its condemning. It favours no fortune and it shirks all spin. It is the publican's paper, the licensee's lawbook, the manager's mag and the businessman's bible.

Melanie Drew, licensee, the Abbey Inns, Byland Abbey, York​

In the nine years I've been in the hospitality trade, the Morning Advertiser has not only ben an invaluable source of information, but also a much-needed light relief. The support an advice offered was particularly welcome when I started out in the industry and this has continued ever since. I particularly admire the encouragement given to successful businesses, a it offer so much inspiration to others.

Tim Martin, chairman JD Wetherspoon​

The Morning Advertiser provides classic evidence of the power of the press, creating an informed debate in the licensed trade on issues affecting those who work in the industry and its customers. Through close and regular contact with licensees, as well as the government and company directors, the MA distils some of the best ideas for its own campaigns. The Morning Advertiser is incisive, consultative and entertaining and deserves to do well for the next 500 issues.

Barry Gillham, Chairman, Fleurets​

"It is never an easy task to not only please all of the people all of the time, but also to tackle the key questions of our industry in a responsible and brave manner. The Morning Advertiser has managed this during a period of unrelenting external criticism and internal turmoil whilst keeping a sense of humour and upward expectation. You are to be congratulated. I raised my glass to the next 500 editions."

Jay Smith, licensee, Monty's Bar​

The Morning Advertiser is a must-have in any licensee's office, never shy to publish issues and opinions that ruffle a feather or two it works hard to bring licensees together with news, products and each other without getting stale.

There's always a copy of the MA on my desk and very few days pass without a visit to the website to touch base with colleagues and keep up with the latest issues on the forums. No matter where you are or what size your business the Morning Advertiser is your way to keep up to date and stay in touch!"

Jillian MacLean, managing director, Drake & Morgan​

The Morning Advertiser is quite rightly regarded as an industry bible, breaking all the big news and latest developments to the trade, week in and week out. Investors and clients often call me to say they have seen Drake & Morgan in the MA - it's an incredibly valuable resource on so many levels. Here's to another 500 years.

Simon Townsend, chief operating officer, Enterprise Inns​

The Morning Advertiser has always been an important source of information, news and debate. Over the last few years however, the challenge of getting a balanced perspective on a whole raft of issues - whether trade, regulatory, political or personal - has been immense, and the MA has met the challenge head-on, to become the leading source of informed comment for our industry. Congratulations on reaching this milestone.

Paul Sullivan, marketing director, Wadworth​

The Morning Advertiser has always generated debate and there's a new discussion with every publication. Challenging and informative at every level of the trade with food for thought for head office and informative advice for licensees on how to improve their businesses in our ever changing trade. The MA is not a guilty pleasure away from the e-mails, but an essential part of work reading.

Jonathan Neame, chief excecutive, Shepherd Neame​

I congratulate the Morning Advertiser on reaching its 500th issue. Pubs are an invaluable part of modern British society and it is essential they are supported by a strong, independent press. The Morning Advertiser deserves to be proud of its achievements in campaigning for, and rewarding, pubs of great quality and diversity in the UK."

Nick Griffin, managing director, Pleisure ​

Congratulations MA on your quincentenary, you look as fresh and relevant as the day I first set eyes on you. Your courage is to be applauded, your integrity and professionalism without question. Enjoy your next 500 editions and remember the words of Twain, "The true pioneer of civilization is not the newspaper, not religion, not the railroad--but whiskey!"

Simon Emeny, managing director, Fuller's​

'Over the past 10 years this industry has undergone unprecedented change and as operators survival has relied on evolving and revaluating everything we do. The team the MA have kept pace with the changes and has also evolved to become a 'must read' for all in the pub industry. Change i sense is here to stay and i wish all at The MA every success as we grapple with the challenges that the next 10 years gives us all'

Alistair Darby, managing director, Marston's Pub Company​

"The Morning Advertiser has changed dramatically over the last 10 years. It has got better and better. I enjoy its balanced approach, its substantial content and its willingness to comment frankly on the big issues. Long may it continue to be essential reading for anybody involved in this fantastic world of beer and pubs!"|