Upham Inns posts revenue rise in annual report
Upham Inns has posted a boost in revenue and gross profit in its results for the financial year ended 31 March 2024, citing a “noticeable improvement” during the second half of the period.
Independent Operators
Liberation Group rebrands as Butcombe Group
Liberation Group has announced plans to rebrand to Butcombe Group to “align with its strategic priorities”.
Craft Union Pubs donate 4,000 items to charity
Craft Union, the community pub company, has donated over 4,000 items of warm clothing and essential supplies to local charities across the UK.
REVIEW OF THE WEEK
‘What is going on with Guinness?!’
The Morning Advertiser’s Ed Bedington caught up with award-winning operator Emma Gibbon of the Plough and the Hewlett in Cheltenham to get her take on the week’s events.
Myth buster aims to reveal the truth about England’s oldest pubs
The title of oldest pub in England is under scrutiny after a new book from a leading buildings archaeologist cast doubt on the claims of a number of well known contenders.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Lamb Inn, Little Milton, Oxfordshire
Located in a thatched roof property, the Lamb Inn in the Oxfordshire countryside provides a blissful sight.
The Alchemist to step up overseas expansion
The Alchemist plans to open a site “further east” next year, the next step in its international expansion plans, according to CEO Simon Potts.
Oakman disposes of two pubs to avoid potential sale of business
Oakman Group has ended the potential sale of its business after it sold two pubs to McMullen that will give it funds to repay a debt by January 2025.
Electric Shuffle to open third London site
Electric Shuffle is set to open its third London site with King’s Cross named as the location for the competitive socialising bar.
Budget blasted as 'anti-business'
A leading family brewer has blasted the Budget as “anti-business” and left his seventh-generation business facing the “greatest challenge of our lives”.
Pub to rival John Lewis with Christmas spoof
A Norfolk-based pub operator is hoping to go head to head with John Lewis on the Christmas advert front with the launch of its own video card for customers.
BrewDog’s loss before tax ‘balloons’ by almost £30m
A financial expert has described BrewDog’s loss before tax as “ballooning” from £30.5m in its 2022 results to £59.2m in its latest audited accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Two step down from The Revel Collective board
Two non-executive directors at The Revel Collective, formerly Revolution Bars Group, will step down from the board at the company’s AGM on 3 December.
OPINION
OPINION: Find something to fill the traditional ‘down time’
I own two good old-fashioned boozers, both of my which were built in the Victorian era and have survived many changes over the decades and years.
OPINION
OPINION: When you poison the well of opportunity, ambition & innovation, everyone goes thirsty
So here we are again…
Roxy Leisure takes on ex-NWTC star as ops director
Roxy Leisure, operator of 19 competitive socialising sites across the UK, has appointed Leane King as operations director.
Review of the Week
'They're making an enemy of us'
The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Our Yummy Collection founder Anthony Pender to get his take on the week's news.
EXCLUSIVE: Award-winning operator 'excited & nervous' to expand business
Frisco Pubs boss Heath Ball has revealed he has taken on another site a four-minute walk from his award-winning Red Lion & Sun.
Beds & Bars top team changes as Roberts steps down
Beds & Bars, the leading backpacker hostel, pub and bar operator, has announced a top team shake up following the announcement that managing director Murray Roberts is taking retirement.
Revel CEO demands biz rates reform as group targets strong future
The Revel Collective CEO Rob Pitcher has demanded an immediate reform to business rates as the group announced the completion of its restructuring programme and fundraising reached £12.5m.
New beer from Shepherd Neame and deal with Millwall FC extended
Kent brewer and pub & rooms operator Shepherd Neame has launched a new Belgian-style beer and installed a bar at Millwall FC.
BrewDog co-founder frustrated over missing out on return to profit
BrewDog co-founder James Watt has revealed his frustration over the Scottish brewer and bar operator’s narrow failure in returning to profit in its 2023 results.
Whitbread accepts offers on 51 sites for £56m
Whitbread, which operates pub-restaurant brands Beefeater and Brewer’s Fayre, has accepted offers on 51 of its sites for £56m.
Cahoots: Postal Office 'first of many'
The latest opening from multisite operator Inception Group is the 'first of many', co-founder Charlie Gilkes told The Morning Advertiser.
The Revel Collective adds George and McVeigh to board
The Revel Collective, formerly Revolution Bars Group, has appointed two industry heavyweights as non-executive directors to its board.
Loss of independent pubs in London 'frightening'
The loss of independent pubs in London is “frightening” and support for these “unique” venues is more important than ever.
Revolution Bars Group changes name
Revolution Bars Group, which operates more than 60 sites mainly under the Revolucion de Cuba, Revolution and Peach Pub brands, is changing its name to The Revel Collective.
Thornbridge & Co to open first London pub
Thornbridge & Co, the joint venture between Derbyshire brewer Thornbridge and wholesaler and bar operator Pivovar, is to open its first pub in London.
Tamworth Tap awarded Freeman of the Borough
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.
Marston’s reports 5.8% boost in retail sales
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.
Joseph Holt is thriving through the community spirit it creates
Staying true to the communities that it serves is within the very fabric of pubs, hotels and beer business Joseph Holt.
Craft beer bar reopens rival site after blaze
A Chester craft beer bar has stepped up to lead the campaign to reopen a rival business that was closed following a devastating fire at the weekend.
Loungers lfl sales grow by 4.7%
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.
Inception Group predicts record-breaking 2024
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.
Potential smoking ban ‘extremely concerning’ for northern pubs
Joseph Holt CEO Richard Kershaw has said rumours of a potential smoking ban outside pubs is causing “extreme concern” for independent brewers and pubcos.
Shepherd Neame reports record revenues, beer volumes down
Shepherd Neame has reported “record revenues and a good uplift in profit” but beer volumes brewed have fallen.
Joseph Holt: Pubs are ‘final bastion’ of the community
The pub is the “final bastion” as almost all other hubs of the community close and the Government needs to recognise that.
MA LEADERS CLUB
MA Leaders Oxford happening today
The MA Leaders club will be taking to the streets of Oxford today (Wednesday 2 October).
Camden Market's 'first pub' to close
Camden Market’s “first ever pub” has shared plans to close its doors in a bid to explore new opportunities.
Admiral pub will be home to mural of The Smiths bass player
Funding plans to paint a mural on the side of an Admiral Taverns pub as a tribute to late bass guitarist Any Rourke of The Smiths have skyrocketed since the project’s launch.
BrewDog Bars CEO James Brown steps down
BrewDog Bars CEO James Brown has announced he is stepping down from his role at the Scottish brewer and pub operator and will be unveiled as CEO of casual dining chain Prezzo on Thursday (26 September).
RedCat to invest £8m into its estate
RedCat Pub Company, founded and chaired by Rooney Anand, is rolling out an £8m capital investment programme across its estate during the upcoming six to 12 months.
Review of the Week
'Hospitality needs to be taken seriously'
The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Great British Pub Award winner Joe Buckley of the Tollemache Arms to get his take on the week's events.
Robinsons reports record year for turnover and profit
North-west brewer and pub operator Robinsons has reported record turnover and profit despite the sector’s “challenging trading conditions”.
Joseph Holt reports 'steadily improving trading'
Joseph Holt has reported £73.5m in turnover for the year ended 31 December 2023, up from £70.2m in 2022.
Admiral acquires 18 pubs from Marston’s
Chester-based pub company Admiral Taverns has reached an agreement to acquire 18 freehold, wet-led pubs from Marston’s.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Brown Cow, Fulham, west London
Life is often hectic in London but the Brown Cow in Fulham offers customers a chance to escape the rat race.
Business profile: Blind Tiger Inns
Wet-led, community pub operator Blind Tiger Inns is based in the north-west of England. Managing director Chris Tulloch gives an overview of the growing business.
Boxpark Camden to open this month
Food and retail park firm Boxpark has confirmed its new site in Camden, London will open later this month.