Independent Operators

Premier League football: Illegal pub satellite box supplier jailed

08-Dec-2014 By Mike Berry

A man who sold illegal satellite boxes to pubs that facilitated unauthorised broadcasting of Premier League football has been jailed for nine months.

Punch gives guidance to tenants on HMRC machine tax rebates

08-Dec-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch Taverns has reiterated its position regarding the “several hundred million pounds” collectively owed by pub operators in “overpaid” tax rebates, following more letters sent by HM Revenue & Customs to tenants.

My pub: The Staith House, North Shields

08-Dec-2014 By Sheila McWattie

John Calton, chef-proprietor of the Staith House in North Shields, tells Sheila McWattie about mastering the art of turning a quayside pub into a go-to eatery.

BUSINESS FOCUS

My pub: The White Swan, Wighill

07-Dec-2014 By Sheila Mcwattie

Wesley Chamberlain, chef and co-tenant of the privately leased White Swan at Wighill, North Yorkshire, tells Sheila McWattie about boosting business with bartering, cyclists’ snacks, veg and cake shows and a breakfast club

Publican Awards 2015: Finalists announced

05-Dec-2014 By Jo Bruce

The pub companies shortlisted in the Publican Awards 2015 have been announced.

Pub fans celebrate visiting 18,000th pub after 30-year bar crawl

04-Dec-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A group of pub fans, who call themselves the Black Country Ale Tairsters (BATs), celebrated visiting their 18,000th pub, after taking part in a bar crawl for the past 30 years.

Greater Manchester pubs team up with police in antisocial behaviour campaign

04-Dec-2014 By Mike Berry

Pubs in Manchester have teamed up with local police to join a new campaign to remind drinkers to be on their best behaviour in the run up to Christmas.

Star introduces new BDM training schemes

04-Dec-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Star Pubs & Bars is launching a new training schemes for its BDMs based around the “latest best practice and thinking in areas critical to pub retailing”.

500-year-old paintings found at Hertfordshire pub

03-Dec-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A series of six 16th century wall paintings, hailed as being of national importance, have been found at a Hertfordshire pub, while undergoing development by JD Wetherspoon.

Pubco CEO questions the need for change

02-Dec-2014 By Robert Sayles

In the wake of the sensational government defeat culminating in ministers sanctioning MRO, Pubco CEO Roland Rodent remains in defiant mood. Robert Sayles met up with him at his flagship pub The Flying Pig to find out more.

My pub: The Cadeby Inn in Doncaster

02-Dec-2014 By Glynn Davis

Gordon Jones had no plans to enter the licensed trade, and it was almost by accident that he bought a pub. But — bearing in mind that he already runs a £12m turnover business renting out portable accommodation — it should come as no surprise that he has...

Vianet revenue up 1.4% but pubs code a threat

02-Dec-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

James Dickson, chairman of beer-flow monitoring company Vianet, has said recent developments in the pubs code and increasing M&A activity in the sector could affect the company’s growth.

West Berkshire Brewery confirms new EIS launch

01-Dec-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

West Berkshire Brewery, the brewery chaired by industry veteran David Bruce, has confirmed it is to launch a new Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) fundraising drive to raise £4m to relocate to a bigger production site, complete with visitor centre and...

Star Pubs & Bars announces annual award winners

28-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Star Pubs & Bars has praised its outstanding lessees at its annual awards, with multiple operators scooping a quarter of the gongs.

Penzance nightclub wins national Best Bar None award

27-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Sound nightclub in Penzance, Cornwall, has been crowned the National Best Bar None (BBN) Winner of 2014.

Food sales drive managed performance at Fuller’s

25-Nov-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Fuller’s has reported a 6.5% increase in like-for-like sales across its managed pubs and hotels division, helped by a rise in like-for-like food sales of 7.7% for the 26 weeks to 27 September 2014.

Admiral sees full-year earnings and revenue rise

25-Nov-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Admiral Taverns, the tenanted pub operator, has reported a 3.8% increase in underlying EBITDA to £21.5m for the year to 31 May 2014, which it described as a “significant and successful period of development for the company and its licensees”.

Tyneside licensee launches virtual pub tour

24-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A Tyneside licensee has embedded a virtual tour of his pub on its website, to show off the outlet to prospective customers and display the well-kept cellar.

BII launches search for industry’s best licensee

24-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The search has begun to find the UK’s best licensee with the launch of the British Institute of Innkeeping’s (BII) Licensee of the Year Award 2015 today.

Chef Claude Compton to open Fulham pub

24-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Former Petersham Nurseries chef Claude Compton has said he would look to open more pubs if his initial site in Fulham is a success.

Cumbrian publican wins World’s Biggest Liar 2014

21-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A tall tale of fracking and jam butties has earned George Kemp of the Lifeboat Inn in Maryport the title of the World’s Biggest Liar 2014.

Pubs ordered to pay total of £30k costs for breaching Premier League copyright

20-Nov-2014 By Mike Berry

Four pubs in England have been ordered by the High Court to each pay the Premier League costs for breaching copyright by making unauthorised broadcasts of Premier League football in their pubs.

Pub Retail Summit: Slug & Lettuce rolling out updated brunch menu

20-Nov-2014 By Jessica Mason

Slug & Lettuce has updated its brunch menu and begun rolling it out across all of its sites as part of its evolution of the brand.

Queen guitarist Brian May visits Yorkshire pub

20-Nov-2014 By Helen Gilbert

Staff working at a South Yorkshire pub and restaurant could have been forgiven for feeling ever so slightly ‘Under Pressure’ last week when a legendary musician rocked up for a bite to eat.

Anthony Pender named BII chairman

20-Nov-2014 By James Wallin

Yummy Pub Company co-founder Anthony Pender has been unveiled as the new chairman of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII).

Exclusive

Pubs fight shy of Xmas Day food, PMA survey reveals

20-Nov-2014 By Mike Berry

Just one third of pubs open on Christmas Day are serving food, according to a survey of Publican’s Morning Advertiser readers about their festive plans.

Pub Retail Summit: Pubs are adapting for Generation Y

20-Nov-2014 By Jessica Mason

Pubs are turning into casual-dining venues in an attempt to appeal to Generation Y, according to Geronimo Inns.

Surrey pub battling to win 'Rural Oscar'

19-Nov-2014 By Helen Gilbert

An award winning Surrey pub is in the running to scoop a Champion of Champions accolade in an X-factor style competition.

Redcomb Pubs eyeing a war chest of £15m

18-Nov-2014 By Ruth Williams, M&C Report

Redcomb Pubs, the operator run by Dan Shotton and Mark Draper, has a war chest of £5m and is “aggressively” looking to acquire pubs while seeking £10m through the Enterprise Investment Scheme to build an estate of 25 in five years.

Franca Knowles: Family pay tribute

13-Nov-2014 By James Wallin

Keith Knowles, chief executive of Beds & Bars, and his family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of tributes to Franca Knowles, who sadly passed away on Friday 7 November. Franca died surrounded by her family, after...

Faucet Inn to debut all-day dining concept Neighbourhood

12-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

London-based multiple operator Faucet Inn will open the first of its all-day dining concept, Neighbourhood, in Stratford City on 22 November.

October sales up 4.1% in London pubs but flat elsewhere

12-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Like-for-like sales at pubs and restaurants across the country grew by 2.2% in October, but were eclipsed by the 4.1% hike inside the M25, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker data.

Pubs fight for the Millenial market

12-Nov-2014 By Mike Berry

Pubs are facing stiff competition when it comes to securing the disposable cash of leisure seekers. Mike Berry studies a new Carlsberg survey on what people want from their pub visits.

The Stable secures Plymouth site

12-Nov-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

The Stable, the South West-based craft cider and pizza restaurant business in which Fuller’s owns a 51% stake, will open its next site, its eighth in Plymouth next spring.

Yorkshire pub installs heated beach huts to drive custom

10-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

An Enterprise Inns pub has installed three heated beach huts for drinking and dining as part of a £250,000 investment.

Fuller’s names its Pub of the Year

07-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Andover Arms in Brackenbury Village, London, has been named Fuller’s Pub of the Year.

Cider maker Thatchers to open managed pub

06-Nov-2014 By Mike Berry

Somerset-based cider maker Thatchers is to make its first foray into the managed pub sector by directly running the Railway Inn, adjacent to its farm in Sandford, north Somerset.

CAMRA says Scotland needs its own pubs code

31-Oct-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

The Campaign for Real Ale has called on the Scottish Government to introduce its own pubs code and adjudicator.

CPL Online and Carlsberg launch new social media training for licensees

31-Oct-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

CPL Online has partnered with Carlsberg to launch a course designed at teaching licensees how to utilise social media.

Founders of social network Bebo buy north Devon pub

30-Oct-2014 By James Evison

The founders of social networking site Bebo have bought a dilapidated pub in Devon which they aim to refurbish alongside a local manor house.

BrewDog to expand brewery but 'we're still tiny'

30-Oct-2014 By James Wallin

BrewDog, the Scottish brewer and pub operator, has announced expansion plans, including a new 300hl brew-house at its headquarters in Ellon, near Aberdeen.

Operator slams Met police after losing £200k due to 'misleading' evidence

30-Oct-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A London operator has hit out at the Metropolitan police after misleading evidence led to the seven-month closure of his nightclub and the loss of an estimated £200,000.

North London pub to host mental health drop-in centre

29-Oct-2014 By Mike Berry

A north London licensee has teamed up with a mental health charity to host a drop-in centre in the pub for local youngsters.

Margot Martini, who inspired worldwide stem cell donation plea, dies

28-Oct-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Margot Martini, the daughter of PubAid director and entrepreneur Yaser Martini, has died, aged two.

Joule’s splits into two divisions and takes on first leasehold

28-Oct-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Joule’s Brewery has split into two divisions reflecting a ‘refocused’ approach to its pub estate, managing director Steve Nuttall has told the Publican's Morning Advertiser's sister title M&C Report.

Pub installs equipment to prevent car park abuse

28-Oct-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A London pub has installed special cameras and a touch-screen car registration pad, to prevent non-customers from abusing its parking facilities.

Fuller's christens The Admiralty pub in naval style

27-Oct-2014 By Mike Berry

Fuller’s celebrated the opening of its latest London pub last week in unique style.

Time to take a good look at your business

27-Oct-2014 By Paul Pavli

I spend a great deal of my working life on the road visiting pubs with area managers. They are a dedicated team who know their estate, but I have lost count of the number of times they only start telling me about the pub we’re visiting once we’re in the...

Minority of pubs failing 'smaller measures' test

24-Oct-2014 By Mike Berry

One in seven pubs would not serve customers a 125ml glass of wine if they asked for it, despite it being a legal requirement under recent amendments to the Licensing Act.

Pubs crowned for outdoor spaces

24-Oct-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Licensees have been awarded for the quality of their beer gardens.