All news articles for 2024

Mind matters: LTC CEO Chris Welham wonders whether staff's mental health is being check on regularly

OPINION

OPINION: Mental health is everyone’s responsibility

By Chris Welham, CEO, Licensed Trade Charity

Thursday 10 October was World Mental Health Day and the theme was the workplace. I’m curious to know how many of us took the opportunity to check in on our employees’ mental health and wellbeing?

Well positioned for growth. RTD options growing in consumer popularity (Credit:Getty/Daniel Grizelj)

ANALYSIS

RTD market ‘well positioned for growth’

By Felicity Giles

The Morning Advertiser (MA) has looked at key emerging trends within the UK-based ready-to-drink (RTD) sector, focusing on future predictions and examining expert opinions within the field.

Final nail in the coffin: Sector braces for further NLW increases in the Budget later this month (Credit: Getty/georgeclerk)

Sector braces for NLW increase in Budget

By Phil Mellows

Publicans are bracing themselves for another possible jump in the national living wage (NLW) when Rachel Reeves addresses parliament in her first Budget as chancellor on 30 October.

Hygiene standards: The FSA encourages operators to comply with hygiene expectations (Credit/Getty/navorolphotography)

FSA shares advice on hygiene best practices for pubs

By Felicity Giles

Following a site’s recent zero star hygiene rating score, The Morning Advertiser (MA) spoke to The Food Standards Agency (FSA) to understand the best ways in which operators can maintain hygiene practices at their sites, and what steps they can take to...

New opportunity: Thornbridge & Co to open first London pub

Thornbridge & Co to open first London pub

By Phil Mellows

Thornbridge & Co, the joint venture between Derbyshire brewer Thornbridge and wholesaler and bar operator Pivovar, is to open its first pub in London.

Success: Tamworth Tap awarded Freeman of the Borough by council (Pictured: George and Louise Greenaway being presented with the honour / Credit: Tamworth Borough Council)

Tamworth Tap awarded Freeman of the Borough

By Rebecca Weller

The owners of Britain’s Best Beer Pub have been awarded Freeman of the Borough in recognition of their innovative entrepreneurship and championing of their local area.

The Morning Advertiser Lock In Podcast episode 82

The Lock In Podcast

The Great British Pub - with a twist!

By Ed Bedington

The Lock In team take a look at the wide ranging cultural influences that are shaping the traditional pub environment from Irish bars to pubs with a Norwegian twist - what makes pubs such appealing melting pots?

Property: This weeks round up includes  Admiral Taverns, Arc Inspirations, Star Pubs, Mongomery Group and more

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Admiral invests £374,000 into its estate

By Felicity Giles

This week's property round-up includes mentions from Admiral Taverns, Arc Inspirations, Star Pubs, Mongomery Group and more.

Marston's results: food sales have been particularly encouraging

Marston’s reports 5.8% boost in retail sales

By Gary Lloyd

Marston’s has stated the sale of its 40% share in Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has been a contributory factor in strong results for the 52 weeks ended 28 September 2024.

Key acquisition: Breal and Calveton procure TGI Fridays (Credit: Getty/Adam Gault)

Breal Capital and Calveton acquire TGI Fridays

By Shwetali Sapte, MCA

TGI Fridays UK has been acquired by Breal Capital and Calveton UK following the completion of a successful sale process through acquisition vehicle Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group Limited.

Capital choice: the Punch Bowl in Mayfair offers a great food and drinks menu

MY PUB

MY PUB: The Punch Bowl, Mayfair, London

By Gary Lloyd

Whether you want to enjoy drinks in the cosy bar or enjoy some great food when you’re in London’s Mayfair, the Punch Bowl will suit everyone perfectly.

Increased sales: Armado Lounge in Plymouth

Loungers lfl sales grow by 4.7%

By Gary Lloyd

All-day bar-café-restaurant brand Loungers has announced a 4.7% leap in like-for-like (lfl) sales in its trading update for the 24 weeks ended 6 October 2024.

Sustainable focus: the 55k Tonnes has taken over the Speaker in Westminster

Inside Uber’s carbon-negative pub

By Nikkie Thatcher

The Morning Advertiser had a look around Uber’s pop-up site, which the car booking app said was London’s first carbon-negative pub.

Pubco acquired: Epiris, the new owner of Amber Taverns, has not revealed any financial terms

Amber Taverns acquired by Epiris

By Gary Lloyd

Amber Taverns, which operates 178 freehold wet-led pubs, has been acquired by Epiris – the owner of The Big Table that counts Bella Italia and Las Iguanas among its brands.

Wet weather: Drinks sales down again (Credit: Getty/dorian2013)

Wet weather dampens drinks sales

By Rebecca Weller

Widespread wet weather has pushed drinks sales in pubs back into negative year-on-year numbers, CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker has revealed.

Private ownership is key to success: Duncan Stirling and Charlie Gilkes

Inception Group predicts record-breaking 2024

By Gary Lloyd

Inception Group, which operates brands including Mr Fogg’s, Cahoots and Bunga Bunga, expects to deliver record-breaking revenues of £29m for 2024 if forecasts bear out.

Expert insight: Sally Anne McCoy highlighted what operators should consider when it comes to pub design

MA LEADERS CLUB

Comfort key in pub design

By Nikkie Thatcher

Comfort should be at the front and centre of pub design, one expert has advised operators.

Legal with Poppleston Allen: Allergen advice (Credit: Gerry/10'000 Hours)

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Allergen advice from Poppleston Allen

By Graeme Cushion, partner, Poppleston Allen

A recently publicised incident in a Nottingham café has served as a useful reminder to operators of the need to be on top of their communications with customers in terms of allergens.

Core beers: Fourpure was a popular stop on the famed Bermondsey Beer Mile in south London

Craft brewer Fourpure appoints administrators

By Gary Lloyd

Former south London-based craft beer brewer Fourpure Brewing Co has entered voluntary administration just a short time after relocating its operation to West Yorkshire.

Increased sales: JDW reports 5.7% total growth for FY24

JDW sales up 5.7% to £2bn in FY24

By Rebecca Weller

Pub behemoth JD Wetherspoon (JDW) saw total sales soar to £2bn in the FY24, an increase of 5.7% compared with the previous 12 months.

More mindful: operator urges people to consider the effects of leaving unwarranted amounts of food on plates (image:Getty/Fertnig)

Pub charges people for extreme food waste

By Felicity Giles

The Star Inn at Vogue in Cornwall has enforced stricter rules on customers leaving food during its Sunday carvery and has now begun charging people for leaving food on plates, according to reports.

Top tips: How to succeed in the low and no alcohol drinks market (Credit: Getty/ClarkandCompany)

LICENSING HUB: LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Sip Smart: Unlocking success with low and no alcohol drinks

By Alex Tomlinson, solicitor at Poppleston Allen

Over recent years, low-alcohol drinks have surged in popularity, with health-conscious customers and those seeking more moderate alcohol consumption benefitting from an increase of flavourful lower-alcoholic drinks.