Independent Operators

Post-lockdown sales in Fuller’s managed pubs down 20% YOY

10-Sep-2020 By Stuart Stone

While it started the new financial year with an estate of almost 400 closed pubs, Fuller, Smith & Turner has revealed that post-lockdown sales in its managed sites recovered to 80% of last year’s takings.

Deltic to axe more than 400 jobs in redundancy consultation

07-Sep-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Late-night operator The Deltic Group is set to slash 402 jobs in a redundancy consultation across its estate after a prolonged period of closure with no reopening date announced yet, reports have stated.

B&K plans £2.5m rights issue to offset lockdown losses

07-Sep-2020 By Stuart Stone

Nationwide brewpub group Brewhouse & Kitchen is seeking funds to counteract sales lost during lockdown and the subsequent recovery period.

Thwaites begins redundancy programme

07-Sep-2020 By Stuart Stone

Lancashire-based brewer and pub operator Daniel Thwaites has taken the 'unwelcome decision' to initiate a programme of redundancies in light of uncertainty around winter trading conditions.

Laine reports losses of £8.4m

04-Sep-2020 By Finn Scott-Delany, MCA

Laine Pub Company has reported a loss after tax of £7.4m for the 50 weeks to 18 August 2019, following a profit of £1.1m in 2018.

MA's review of the week

Post-EOTHO footfall drivers will be geared around quality rather than discounting

04-Sep-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Anglian Country Inns' managing director James Nye about the biggest issues from the news this week.

Revolution seeks ‘meaningful discussions’ with landlords amid EOTHO sales boost

03-Sep-2020 By Stuart Stone

While post-lockdown trading has exceeded its best-case scenario trading forecasts, Revolution Bars Group continues to seek rent relief discussions with commercial landlords at almost half its sites.

Big Interview

‘The playbook on the 'new normal' is being rewritten almost every day’

02-Sep-2020 By Stuart Stone

The chairman of the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB) and Thwaites’ CEO, Rick Bailey, explains how some of the UK’s oldest pub companies are weathering the Covid-19 pandemic.

Red Lion claims TripAdvisor 2020 diner’s choice award

02-Sep-2020 By Stuart Stone

The Red Lion in Chobham, Surrey, has been recognised among the best places to eat around the world in TripAdvisor’s 2020 Diner’s choice awards.

Yummy Pub Co: EOTHO has been positive but 'some people shouldn't be allowed out'

28-Aug-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington spoke with Yummy Pub Co's Tim Foster about how the Eat Out to Help Out scheme has impacted the business and what the future holds for them.

Jobs round-up

Publican Award winner steps up recruitment campaign, Beaverworld creates 150 jobs, Boxpark hires Bishop

26-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

The Inn Collection Group has outlined plans to hire more than 200 new staff members across its estate while Beavertown Brewery’s recently revealed new home will add 150 new roles to the north London jobs market.

Former Redcomb owners add second site to portfolio

25-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Prospect Pubs & Bars, run by former owners of Redcomb Pubs Dan Shotton and Mark Draper, has taken on its second site.

Lights out for late night?

24-Aug-2020 By Georgia Cronin, MCA

Having already provided your full name and contact details, you pass by the thermal imaging camera and through the personal protection tunnel, where you remain for five seconds to ensure the chlorine dioxide has thoroughly disinfected your clothes and...

MA's Review of the week

EOTHO helping pubs move towards ‘continental model’ of increased weekday trade

21-Aug-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Brewhouse & Kitchen chief executive Kris Gumbrell about the biggest issues from the news this week.

Oakman Inns to receive royal accolade

20-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Oakman Inns will be presented with an annual Princess Royal Training Award in November.

MA's review of the week

'The biggest issue we face is consumer confidence'

14-Aug-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Black Sheep Brewery chairman Andy Slee to talk about the big issues from the news this week.

Brewhouse & Kitchen sales soar 115% during first week of EOTHO

14-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

Nationwide brewpub operator Brewhouse & Kitchen has revealed that its sales more than doubled during the first six days of the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Still no clarity on nightclub reopening date

14-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

While the Government has announced a slew of hospitality businesses can now reopen, it has remained tight-lipped on when the late-night sector venues can trade again.

Country Pub Group goes into administration

06-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

The operator behind a quartet of pubs in the south west has been placed into administration.

‘Encouraging’ July trading for Loungers

05-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

Café-bar operator Loungers has revealed relatively flat year-on-year July trading across its 165-strong stable despite post-lockdown trading restrictions.

Coronavirus puts £10m dent in Fuller’s figures

30-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Fuller, Smith and Turner is in a ‘stronger position than many’ according to its chief executive, despite the coronavirus’ estimated eight-figure impact on company trading.

Blackrose targets 200 new sites by the end of 2021

29-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Aprirose-owned pub management company, Blackrose, has announced five appointments as part of plans to build an estate of close to 250-sites by the end of 2021.

Liberation Group reshuffles senior team

29-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Channel Islands-based pub company the Liberation Group has announced the creation of two new senior roles as part of its response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

City Pub Group trading at two thirds of previous sales levels

27-Jul-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator City Pub Group has reported like-for-like sales were at 63% of previous levels and total sales for the three weeks since reopening half its estate on 4 July were £1.8m.

'We rely very heavily on offices being back at work'

24-Jul-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's (MA) editor Ed Bedington catches up with Fuller's Simon Emeny to discuss what’s grabbed his attention from the week’s headlines.

MA500

‘We aren’t out of the woods yet’

20-Jul-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Urban-based operators voiced their concerns for city centre businesses amid reopening and looking ahead due to rules on public transport and customers wanting to stay local.

MA500

How have operators with sites in Europe coped with coronavirus?

20-Jul-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Learning from different regulations set by local governments in countries across Europe has been helpful for one multiple operator when reopening its sites in the UK.

MA500

Late-night operators ‘desperate for clarity on reopening’

17-Jul-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Two wet-led late-night businesses have voiced their concerns about not having any Government guidance on when or how they can reopen.

MA’s review of the week

Consumers will have a difficult time deciphering the purpose of face masks

17-Jul-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's (MA) editor Ed Bedington catches up with The Alchemist’s Simon Potts to discuss what’s grabbed his attention from the week’s headlines.

MA500

UKH boss: 'Trade support cannot stop now'

17-Jul-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has called for the Government to continue to support the trade into next year.

St Austell appoints Georgina Young as brewing director

16-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Georgina Young will oversee brewing and operations at both St Austell Brewery and Bath Ales as the Cornish brewer and pub operator’s new brewing director.

Loungers to fully reopen 165-site estate by 5 August

16-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Café-bar operator Loungers plans to accelerate the reopening of its Lounge and Cosy Club sites off the back of positive post-lockdown trading.

Brewhouse & Kitchen report like-for-like boost in reopening week

13-Jul-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Brewpub group Brewhouse & Kitchen has reported a 2.9% like-for-like sales growth in its first week trading after the Covid-19 shutdown.

Changes afoot at Oakman Inns

10-Jul-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Oakman Inns has announced board changes and an update on how its pubs have traded since reopening last weekend (Saturday 4 July).

MA’s review of the week

‘Dramatic’ headlines unrealised as pub sector reopens well

10-Jul-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's (MA) editor Ed Bedington hosts a chat with St Austell Brewery’s Kevin Georgel to find out what’s grabbed his attention from the week’s headlines.

Roxy Leisure to reopen 'booze and ball games' venues from 1 August

07-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

The operator behind the Roxy Ball Room, Roxy Lanes and Roxy Arcade concepts has revealed that its four venues in Leeds will offer entertainment ranging from bowling and beer pong to karaoke from 1 August.

St Austell boss calls for VAT, beer duty and business rates cut

07-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

The chief executive of Cornish brewer and pub operator St Austell has called upon the Chancellor for extended support for hospitality in his July Statement off the back of a “steady” return to trade post-lockdown.

Arc Inspirations to open third Box

07-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Premium bar operator Arc Inspirations has lifted the lid on plans to launch its Box concept in Manchester.

MA's review of the week

‘First indicators’ of lockdown’s financial impact on the pub sector

03-Jul-2020 By Ed Bedington

In a new video series, The Morning Advertiser's (MA) editor Ed Bedington hosts a chat with a leading pub industry figure to find out what’s grabbed their attention from the week’s headlines.

Fuller’s to reopen more than 170 managed pubs in July

03-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Pub and hotel operator Fuller, Smith & Turner has revealed that 27 of its sites will reopen on 4 July as the company begins the gradual resumption of trade across its estate.

Red Oak Taverns secures £2.6m Covid-19 standby facility

02-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Nationwide pub operator Red Oak Taverns has received a £2.6m Covid-19 funding boost through the Government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).

Shepherd Neame banks £25m ahead of July restart

02-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Kent-based brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame has agreed a £25m borrowing facility through the Government’s Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS).

Revolution Bars to kick off phased reopening on 6 July

02-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Revolution Bars Group has outlined plans to gradually reopen its 74-site stable post-lockdown with measures such as cashless payments and mobile ordering in place.

Shepherd Neame to rename Black Boy pub after moniker deemed ‘not potentially welcoming’

30-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

Kent-based brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame has confirmed that it will rename one of its pubs amid fears that it could be considered "unwelcoming" by customers.

Inception Group puts £25,000 behind the bar for NHS workers

30-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

London-based bar operator Inception Group has pledged to spread a £25,000 tab for NHS staff across its eclectic estate as part of reopening plans.

St Austell Brewery to reopen more than 100 pubs on 4 July weekend

29-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

West Country brewer and pub operator St Austell Brewery has revealed that its entire managed estate will resume trading on 4 July.

MA500

One-off July MA500 agenda revealed

25-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Morning Advertiser (MA) is set to host a special edition of the MA500 conference this summer, as pubs begin to reopen and adapt to the changed marketplace.

Young’s taps investors for £88.4m

25-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

London-based pub operator and brewer Young’s Pubs has raised gross proceeds of £88.4m through a share placing as it prepares to resume trading.

Flight Club to open all UK venues from 1 August

25-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

Social darts concept Flight Club has confirmed that its six UK sites – four in London and one in both Manchester and Birmingham – will open on 1 August.

Butcombe to reopen pubs from 8 July

25-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

Liberation Group owned brewer and pub operator Butcombe Brewing Co has revealed that three of its pubs will resume trading on 8 July as part of a staggered opening schedule.