Independent Operators

Licensees call for clarification over Scottish hours

29-Jul-2005

Trade associations across Scotland have joined forces to call on the Scottish Executive to reassure the trade over its new licensing laws.The...

To the rescue

28-Jul-2005

When Mercury Management sets its sights on its latest project there's no stopping until its core values have been firmly instilled. Hamish Champ...

Licensees' fury over council's backing for blanket ban

28-Jul-2005

Licensees in the London borough of Camden are furious that local councillors have come out in favour of a blanket smoking ban. In response to a...

Whittome's winner

28-Jul-2005

Having become a millionaire from selling potatoes, Paul Whittome bought the Hoste Arms as a property investment but it soon became a passion. MAX...

Taking the fear

28-Jul-2005

out of finance Starting out in business can be a daunting prospect for even the most upbeat of characters, but, as GRAHAM RIDOUT explains, proper...

Man accused of pub firearm charges

28-Jul-2005

A man has been charged in connection with an apparent armed siege at a Worcester pub. A man was seen holding a gun inside the King's Head pub in...

Pubco bosses face new select committee probe

28-Jul-2005

by Tony Halstead Pubco bosses could face a second round of grilling by MPs after it was revealed that last summer's Trade & Industry Select...

Licensees warned over utility contract charges

28-Jul-2005

by Ewan Turney Licensees have been warned not to let their utility contracts lapse because they could face mammoth charges. The warning comes as one...

Independent hosts set

28-Jul-2005

to fall prey to deadline by Tony Halstead Thousands of independent pubs, clubs and bars are set to miss the boat as the deadline for new licence...

Pubs braced for loss of tourist trade in wake of attacks

27-Jul-2005

Pubs are bracing themselves for a sharp downturn in tourism as fears of a sustained terror campaign mount. Research carried out by the Tourism...

Licensees accuse newpapers of 'profiteering'

27-Jul-2005

Licensees have accused some local newspapers of over-charging them to advertise their licence variations. Under the new Licensing Act, licensees...

What the Sunday papers said

24-Jul-2005

Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) has come under fire from Russian investors - and even President Putin - over what are claimed to be its...

Regent quits field after rejection of 975p Urbium bid

21-Jul-2005

by The PMA Team Regent Inns has ended all discussions with West End bar operator Urbium after the rejection of its latest offer, which was worth 975p...

Help is at hand

21-Jul-2005

With two weeks to go before the August 6 deadline for converting existing licences, James Wilmore finds out how the BII is helping licensees...

Still up in the air

21-Jul-2005

As The Publican's Butt Out! campaign gathers pace in Wales, Daniel Pearce went to Cardiff to speak to licensees about their fight against a smoking...

Licensees call for exemptions on smoking ban

21-Jul-2005

Licensees are calling for the government to consider a 'third way' over its plans for a smoking ban in public places.At a Publican Forum held...

Petition to save Ridley's swells

21-Jul-2005

More than 2,500 people have signed an online petition calling for Greene King to reconsider its decision to close the Ridley's brewery, within five...

It's time at last to clean up pubs

21-Jul-2005

Morning Advertiser columnist ANDREW JEFFORD has taken up the Union Pub Company's suggestion about contacting the Government's Smokefree Legislation...

Is a heatwave necessarily good for pub trade?

21-Jul-2005

Ysanne Williams Spread Eagle Sawley Lancashire 'You can never predict how busy you are going to be in really hot weather, but over the last few weeks...

New realism on the high street

21-Jul-2005

Trading conditions in Britain's town and city high streets may be tough, but a move away from unsustainably-high rents suggests there could be a...

Sign up and become a winner

21-Jul-2005

With less than seven weeks to the start of National Pub Football Week with a stack of giveaways on offer the time is ripe for licensees to think...

Trade warms to positive side

21-Jul-2005

of smoking ban says Fleurets by John Harrington Licensees are gradually coming round to the idea that a smoking ban would not damage trade. That is...

It hasn't been all plain sailing

20-Jul-2005

Self-made businessman David Bruce has won and lost a fortune in the brewery trade. He tells Lorna Harrison of the highs and lows and why he feels he...

Hundreds face prosecution as SIA ends 'discretion period'

20-Jul-2005

Licensees could find their new premises licence at risk if they fail to ensure they have Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered doorstaff. The...

SABMiller buys Bavaria

20-Jul-2005

UK-listed SABMiller has bought Bavaria, Latin America's second largest brewer, for US$7.8bn.The announcement comes three months after rumours first...

Warm Welcome returns at S&N

18-Jul-2005

Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE), has re-launched its Warm Welcome awards following the success of last year's programme.Leased...

What the Sunday papers said

17-Jul-2005

Alcohol is fuelling a surge in violent crime, according to senior police officers. Noting Home Office figures which revealed a 7 per cent rise in...

GBBF preview: What's on and when

15-Jul-2005

Here's an overview of events to help you ensure your time at the GBBF is well spent.Before Joe Public even contemplates introducing his laughing gear...

GBBF preview: Who's there?

15-Jul-2005

With interest in real ale rising, CAMRA is pulling out all the stops to make sure that the GBBF message is reaching as many people as possible,...

Result!

14-Jul-2005

Greene King's latest results have kept it on top, as Hamish Champ reports.So, another good set of results for Greene King. Overall turnover up 33 per...

Pubs open doors as terrorist blasts rock capital

14-Jul-2005

Publicans took the lead and opened their doors to the thousands of people hit by the terror attacks in London last week.As travel routes in the...

Pubs closed in Birmingham bomb scare

14-Jul-2005

Pubs and bars across Birmingham city centre were forced to evacuate after last Saturday's bomb scare prompted police to shut down the area. Following...

Help weed out rogue brokers

14-Jul-2005

Licensees looking for funds are being warned to be on their guard against further rogue finance companies. News has reached The Publican that some...

GBBF preview: Odds on

14-Jul-2005

The Champion Beer of Britain prize is always a highlight of the GBBF. So who's in the running to claim the title this year?The cherry on the Great...

Sensible PEL fee hits right note

14-Jul-2005

I was discussing transitional arrangements the other day with a licensing officer who, up to now, has been dealing with entertainment licensing....

OTHER NEWS

14-Jul-2005

Celtic Inns calls for smoke ban protest Celtic Inns has urged all its licensees to write to Welsh Assembly Members and MPs to tell them their future...

Rumours swirl about biggest pub deal ever

14-Jul-2005

by MA Reporter The biggest pub deal ever is still on the table but it may be Mitchells & Butlers rather than rival Punch that takes over Spirit,...

Red-tape damage 'must be recognised'

14-Jul-2005

The Government must have a better understanding of the damaging impact of regulation on pubs and other hospitality businesses. That was the message...

Hartford's stable results paves

14-Jul-2005

way for growth says Thomas Hartford Group's results for the 28 weeks ended 9 April 2005 showed turnover up 12.8% to £6.9m compared to £6.1m in...

Avanti signs up 1,000th venue

14-Jul-2005

Avanti Screenmedia, the UK's leading provider of screen-media, has this week propelled its pub estate through the 1,000-venue barrier following a...

Burning ambition defeats disaster

14-Jul-2005

Fire destroyed Kieron Daniels' first pub less than a year after he'd taken it on. Undaunted, the Oxfordshire host moved to another venue and has now...

Pubs warned not to show Saturday afternoon matches

13-Jul-2005

Licensees are being warned to be wary of companies which claim to be able to supply Saturday afternoon games legally.With the new football season...

Regent sets out bid terms for Urbium

12-Jul-2005

Regent Inns has made its third approach for Urbium, which values the Tiger Tiger operator's shares at 975p each.Regent said it had written to the...

Ex-licensee finally wins payout for destroyed pub

12-Jul-2005

A former licensee has finally received £20,000 compensation from a company's liquidators five years after his pub was destroyed by a gas...

Pubs ready for stub out

08-Jul-2005

Michelle Perrett looks at how the trade plans to cope with a possible ban on smoking. Reports that a smoking ban is on its way are nothing new to...

Diamonds in the rough

07-Jul-2005

Wolverhampton & Dudley's Pathfinder division has big plans for its managed estate, including the 63 pubs it acquired from Wizard Inns last year,...

Trade Talk: Mark Wickens

07-Jul-2005

Mark Wickens, chairman and creative partner of Brandhouse WTS on the potential for soft drinks brands in the on-trade.I believe there is a real...

Town & country

07-Jul-2005

With some form of smoking ban now certain across the rest of the British Isles, James Wilmore went to Ireland to find out how licensees are coping.In...