Independent Operators

Exciting line-up for MA500 Cardiff announced

03-May-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

The MA500 club is heading to Cardiff this month (May) and The Morning Advertiser can now reveal the exciting agenda in store.

Patron completes acquisition of Laine Pub Co

03-May-2018 By MCA

Patron Capital, the backer of Punch, has completed the acquisition of Laine Pub Company, the 54-strong Gavin George-led group.

MA500 member reveals why she took on a second site

02-May-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

Running more than one site can be a little daunting but one business owner reveals why she decided to become a multiple operator.

Grubs up for pubs

02-May-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

When it comes to snacking at the bar, crisps and nuts have seemingly got it sewn up, but Eat Grub co-founder Shami Radia explains why protein-packed insects have the edge over traditional foods and hopes customers pass on the message.

Arc Inspirations announces second ‘The Box’ site in home city

06-Apr-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

Leeds-based multiple operator Arc Inspirations has announced its second The Box concept bar in the city centre, following the success of its first site in Headingley.

Why pubs should raise money for charity

22-Mar-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

An age-old cliché states that charity begins at home, and what place is better to call home than the pub.

MA500 is coming to Cardiff

22-Mar-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

Award-winning Welsh brewery Tiny Rebel runs three sites in Cardiff and marketing manager Niall Thomas gave the lowdown on the Welsh capital’s hospitality scene.

How to claim tax credits on R&D for pubs

08-Feb-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

Licensees can counter the burden of tax by claiming cash back on new and innovative products, from the Government according to experts.

MA500

‘The retailers are coming’ – but can pubs survive?

08-Feb-2018 By Nicholas Robinson

A new generation of customers could be set to flock to the high street in search of ‘real experiences’, but retailers are stepping up their game and reacting with out-of-the-box ideas, which could outshine pubs.

Arc Inspirations to open new Banyan Bar & Kitchen site after £1.6m investment

06-Feb-2018 By Stuart Stone

Multi-brand operator Arc Inspirations has continued its expansion in the north-west of England with the announcement of a second site in Manchester opening in summer 2018.

Ghostly sightings will not stop opening of 13th Alchemist bar

19-Jan-2018 By Stuart Stone

Following a £1.65m investment and "unexplained goings on" during construction of its 13th venue, the Alchemist has revealed that its new Nottingham branch will open on 10 February.

Exciting line up for MA500 Cambridge study tour

17-Jan-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

The MA500 crowd is set to hit the streets of Cambridge next month (8 February) and the exciting study tour line-up has now been announced.

MA500 Cambridge agenda unveiled

16-Jan-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

The first MA500 business club meeting of the year is set to take place in Cambridge on 8 February and The Morning Advertiser can now reveal the exciting line-up.

The Alchemist kicks-off the New Year with £16m investment from Santander

10-Jan-2018 By Stuart Stone

The company behind 12 UK venues employing more than 700 people has secured an additional multi-million pound finance package from existing debt funders Santander to support its growth plans.

Arc Inspirations invests £1.8m in new Manchester site

05-Jan-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

Leeds-based multiple operator Arc Inspirations has launched its New York-inspired bar brand Manahatta in Manchester, following a £1.8m investment.

Pizza, Pots & Pints pub concept launches in second Cambridge site

05-Jan-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

Pub concept Pizza, Pots & Pints is set to open another site at the Carpenter’s Arms in Cambridge later this year.

Coaching Inn Group acquires Ledbury site

20-Dec-2017 By James Wallin, MCA

The Coaching Inn Group has acquired The Feathers Hotel in Ledbury, Herefordshire, for an undisclosed sum, as part of its £50m expansion programme.

Laine Pub Co acquires Distinct Group

04-Dec-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Regional brewer and operator Laine Pub Company has acquired the four-strong leasehold pub estate of the Distinct Group.

BrewDog and NWTC in The Sunday Times Fast Track 100

04-Dec-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Scottish brewer and operator BrewDog and multiple-award winner the New World Trading Company (NWTC) have both featured in The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 league table.

Steve Haslam on TV show to ‘change perceptions of "wealthy" people’

27-Oct-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

TLC Inns boss Steve Haslam agreed to take part in a television show in a bid to help alter opinion of the wealthy.

10 top tips from retail that pub operators need to adopt

24-Oct-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Pubs need to take note of how the retail sector uses technology to boost footfall and sales and use the same approach, according to experts.

Ei and multi-site licensees create 'community hub' pub

09-Oct-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Ei Publican Partnerships and "experienced local multiple operators" are jointly funding a £130,000 renovation to create a "quality, traditional pub with a little something for everyone in the local community".

MA500 Edinburgh study tour unveiled

16-Aug-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The MA500 crowd is heading north of the border for the first time and will hit the streets of Edinburgh to visit some of the city’s most exciting and vibrant venues.

BrewDog to open site on US-Mexico border

04-Aug-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Scottish brewer BrewDog has announced plans to open a new craft beer bar on the border between the US and Mexico.

Arc Inspirations reports record results

03-Aug-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Multiple operator Arc Inspirations has reported record financial results as its total sales rose by 18% to £22.5m.

Affinity Bars & Restaurants sites closed

03-Jul-2017 By Ed Bedington

London-based Affinity Bars & Restaurants appears to have shut down operations with all four sites, including three pubs closed.

Future Trends: Beer and Cider

The future of craft beer: fruit?

03-Jul-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Sales of fruit beer in the US’s well-established craft beer market account for 13% of total craft sales, which can be matched here in the UK, according to a leading buyer in the category.

BrewDog makes amends with Wolf bar by collaborating on gin

20-Jun-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

BrewDog has made amends with the owners of an independent Birmingham bar after the Scottish brewer came under fire for forcing the venue to change its name by threatening it with legal action.

OBE honour ‘recognises work of many people’ says Beds & Bars founder

19-Jun-2017 By Claire Churchard

The Queen unveiled her birthday honours list at the weekend with the news that she has awarded Beds & Bars CEO and founder Keith Knowles an OBE for services to the community and charity.

MA500: we aren't saying don't drink, it's pubs having something for everyone

09-Jun-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

With Millennials drinking less than any other age group, Club Soda co-founder Laura Willoughby demonstrated to delegates how adding to their drinks offer can pay dividends.

MA500: Licensing Act changes - what are the odds?

09-Jun-2017 By Claire Churchard

The House of Lords select committee laid out its proposals for a “major overhaul” of the Licensing Act 2003 in early April.

MA500: top tips on holding live music events

09-Jun-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Music maestro Ethan Allen gave delegates at last month (May)'s MA500 meeting in Liverpool, his top tips on how best to use live music in their venues:

MA500: hitting the Mersey

09-Jun-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The latest MA500 business club saw the sights and sites of Liverpool and heard from operators inside and outside of the trade before pounding the streets for a study tour.

Be At One appoints head of marketing to drive innovation

05-Jun-2017 By Liam Coleman

Sophie Evans has been appointed head of marketing at cocktail bar operator Be At One.

£420,000 investment for Alchemist sites

26-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

The Alchemist has said it will temporarily close two of its sites in June as part of a full refurbishment.

Provenance Inns co-founder quits as director

25-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

There will be “no changes to current or future projects” from Provenance Inns, despite the co-founder resigning as managing director.

Wadworth targets 65 managed sites after £6.5m investment

24-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

Wadworth is looking to take its managed estate to 65 sites in the years ahead, The Morning Advertiser (MA) understands.

Licensing authorities and publicans to job swap for National Licensing Week

23-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

National Licensing Week will take place in mid June and see job swaps across the industry, the Institute of Licensing has confirmed.

Turnover of largest pub groups continues to outpace inflation

23-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

The average turnover of the 50 biggest pub companies in the UK is continuing to outpace inflation.

Redcomb to open pop-up site on ‘floating park’

22-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

A pop-up site from Redcomb Pubs will open at London’s ‘Floating Pocket Park’ on the Paddington Basin section of the Grand Union Canal this summer.

Pete Brown: craft beer will drive alcohol-free category

18-May-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

The alcohol-free beer category will become as attractive to drinkers as the regular alcohol categories soon, according to award-winning beer writer Pete Brown.

What the Millennials say about pubs

18-May-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Drinks offers, atmosphere, ‘shareability’ and the entertainment available in the pub play a big part in where Millennials choose to spend time in the on-trade.

Pubcos included on LSE list of firms with ‘high-growth potential’

15-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

Four pub operators have been included on the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1,000 Companies To Inspire Britain’, an annual celebration of the country’s most dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises (SME).

Three Cheers takes on eighth site and plans £2m refit

12-May-2017 By Liam Coleman

Three Cheers Pub Company has announced that it has grown its portfolio by acquiring the Bedford in Balham, south London, taking its total number of sites up to eight.

MA500 Liverpool thrilling study tour announced

11-May-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The next MA500 meeting is taking place next week (Thursday 18 May) in Liverpool and the study tour venues have now been revealed.

Red Mist Leisure reveals breakfast offer at new site

08-May-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Red Mist Leisure is launching a weekend breakfast offer at its newly opened 500-year-old Red Lion in Odiham, Hampshire.

Exciting line-up for Liverpool MA500 unveiled

08-May-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

A rundown of what to expect at the upcoming MA500 business club meeting on 18 May at the Camp and Furnace in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle has been announced.