Independent Operators

Pubs to host National Piña Colada Day parties

12-Jun-2014 By Jessica Mason

Coconut rum brand Malibu has named the 10th July “National Piña Colada Day” to help boost sales of the Piña Colada cocktail in pubs and bars this summer.

Fake alcohol seized and 96 arrests made following international raids

11-Jun-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A co-ordinated operation against international gangs producing and selling counterfeit food and alcohol has resulted in nearly 100 arrests, the Government has revealed.

London operators hit out at TFL policy on Tubes during World Cup

11-Jun-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The pub trade has hit out at Transport for London’s (TfL) decision to not extend Tube opening times in the capital on the days of the World Cup’s later matches.

Home Office wants all pubs to accept new proof of age card

11-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

A Home Office minister has said he wants a “100%” of pubs and clubs to accept the newly re-launched PASS proof of age card.

Pub opens at top of 150ft high crane

11-Jun-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

Whyte & Mackay is tapping into the ‘Clydebuilt’ roots of its Scotch whisky brand by opening a pub with a difference – on top of the historic 150ft Titan Crane in Glasgow.

Lake District pub damaged by fire will re-open, Robinsons confirms

10-Jun-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A Lake District pub that was damaged by a fire last week will re-open for trading, its owners Robinsons Brewery have confirmed.

Home Office campaign against domestic abuse launches in pubs

10-Jun-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A new Government campaign against domestic abuse has been launched in pubs and bars across the country ahead of the start of the World Cup on Thursday (12 June).

Gosport Pubwatch bans Mayor and Mayoress from its pubs

10-Jun-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Mayor and Mayoress of a Hampshire town have been banned from its pubs just hours after being elected following reports they were drunk and disorderly and threatened to close premises down.

Hawthorn Leisure could grow to 2,000 pubs

09-Jun-2014 By John Harrington

Up to 2,000 existing pubs could fit the criteria for Hawthorn Leisure, which has no cap on its expansion ambitions, according Noah Bulkin of the company’s joint backer May Capital.

ALMR launches 'positive' new look

09-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

The Association of Multiple Licensed Retailers has launched a rebrand which it claims reflects a “modern, vibrant” sector.

ALMR member donations fund LTC autism school kitchen

09-Jun-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Donations from last year’s ALMR Christmas Lunch have gone towards building a new kitchen at the Licensed Trade Charity’s school for children with autism.

Community shop opened in Tim Henman’s local pub

09-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

An Oxfordshire pub has used a £5,000 award prize to set up a community shop.

Pub celebrates D-Day anniversary with fake bomb raid

09-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

A pub hosted a D-Day commemoration with a difference – complete with air shelter, fake bomb raid and a week in Normandy as first prize in a fancy dress contest.

Evan-Evans launches London brewing and pub venture

06-Jun-2014 By John Harrington

Evan-Evans, the Welsh brewer and pub operator, has launched a new brewing and pub operating venture targeted at the London and south east market.

Fuller's reports healthy profit boost

06-Jun-2014 By Mark Wingett

Fuller’s, the London-based brewer and pub operator, has reported a 10% rise in adjusted pre-tax profits to £34.1m in the year to 29 March, driven by its managed estate, which saw like-for-like growth of an “industry leading” 8.3%.

Shepherd Neame restructure approved after threat of injunction withdrawn

05-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

Shepherd Neame shareholders have voted to approve the brewer’s restructure plans – despite legal threats from within the family.

Licensees set to commemorate D-Day anniversary

05-Jun-2014 By Elliot Kuruvita

Publicans are offering a range of special menus and entertainment to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Hawthorn Leisure buys 88 R&L pubs

04-Jun-2014 By Mark Wingett

Hawthorn Leisure, the group set up with the acquisition of 275 pubs from Greene King, has announced the acquisition of 88 tenanted and leased pubs from R&L, the pub portfolio formerly part of property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz’s property empire in a...

CAMRA says Government is failing to act on pub protection

03-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

Campaign for Real Ale members have accused Brandon Lewis MP of failing to act on protecting pubs.

Vince Cable: Why we are acting on pubcos

03-Jun-2014 By Vince Cable

Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, talks about the reasoning behind the Government’s intervention in the pub sector, the consultation process, new policy and its proposed benefits.

Out-of-home alcohol spend falls 9.8% over three years

02-Jun-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The public is spending more on alcohol for drinking at home but significantly less at pubs and bars, new figures show.

Charity sets up fake pub to teach teens about responsible drinking

02-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

A charity has set up its own dry pub, in a bid to teach teenagers how to stay safe on a night out.

Shepherd Neame facing family revolt over restructure

30-May-2014 By James Wallin

Stuart Neame has accused the board of directors at his family firm of lying to shareholders over plans to simplify its capital structure.

Sawday pub awards winners 2014 announced

30-May-2014 By Helen Gilbert

A total of 15 pubs have received special recognition in Sawday’s Special Places Pubs and Inns of England & Wales Guide.  

PMA survey reveals pensions timebomb for publicans

28-May-2014 By Mike Berry

Licensees are sitting on a potential pensions timebomb, with the majority not making any provision for their retirement, according to new PMA reader research.

Polling station pubs attract new customers

28-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Pubs hosting polling stations can attract new business and win back locals, according to licensees who combined the bar and the ballot box last week.

Home Office launches crackdown on student pub crawls

28-May-2014 By James Wallin

Universities will have to prove they are discouraging their students from taking part in pub crawls, under a pilot scheme launched today.

Licensee loses change of use application for second time

28-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A Norfolk landlady has lost a second application for her pub to change use, after the local council insisted the business could still be viable.

Campaigners celebrate success in community asset bid for Brighton pub

28-May-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

A campaign group hoping to save a Victorian pub has won the right to have it listed as an asset of community value (ACV).

Pesto aims to pass 100 site threshold

28-May-2014 By John Harrington

North-west-based pub and restaurant chain Pesto could expand beyond 100 sites, owner Neil Gatt has said.

Where Eagles Dare (Part 2)

27-May-2014 By Robert Sayles

The Colonel looked at the dejected faces around the table. “Gentlemen, we have to be realistic. It’s been almost four months and we’ve heard nothing. I think we have to conclude the mission has been compromised. We need to close this thing down and move...

'Tube map' for pubs is proving a winner

27-May-2014 By James Wallin

A company is putting pubs on the map with its range of tube-style guides to local boozers.

Drinkaware looking to force pubs to remove its name from irresponsible ads

27-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Drinkaware is seeking legal advice on forcing pubs that promote irresponsible drinking to remove any mention of the organisation in their marketing material.

Last places up for grabs at Tenanted Pub Company Summit 2014

22-May-2014 By James Wallin

There are just three weeks until this year’s Tenanted Pub Company summit, featuring presentations from leading industry figures and invaluable networking opportunities.

Barred pubgoer says he will take Pubwatch to European Court of Human Rights

22-May-2014 By James Wallin

A customer barred from all pubs in his hometown has vowed to take his fight with Pubwatch to the European Court of Human Rights.

Licensee wins planning appeal for roof garden

22-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A north London licensee has won an appeal to create a roof garden on her pub, after battling for a year to overturn the council’s refusal to grant planning permission.

Customers have one day to raise £20,000 to buy Spurs pub

21-May-2014 By James Wallin

Customers of a Tottenham pub are facing a tense final few hours in their bid to raise £250,000 to buy their local.

Enfield police cut pub visits after licensees accuse officers of harassment

21-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Enfield police have agreed to reduce the number of pub visits to check licence conditions, after the local pubwatch committee told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser they were being harassed by officers.

Celebration of pub garden that won gold at Chelsea Flower Show

20-May-2014 By James Wallin

A group of Chelsea Pensioners were guests of honour at a Shepherd Neame pub to celebrate its award-winning garden.

Pub that has hosted live music since 1854 closes after neighbour noise complaints

19-May-2014 By James Wallin

A pub that has been playing live music for 160 years has closed down after neighbours complained about the noise.

Pub barman among missing sailors

19-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Licensees at a Hampshire pub have joined a campaign led by the families of the four missing British sailors – one of whom is a barman at their pub - for the US Coastguard to resume their search.

Hospitality bosses dismiss vouchers, despite consumer popularity

19-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Most hospitality businesses think that vouchers are not a key generator of sales, despite the fact the majority of customers cite them as the top reason for revisiting an outlet.

Shepherd Neame to overhaul its share capital structure

19-May-2014 By John Harrington

Shepherd Neame, the Kent-based brewer and pub operator, has announced that it intends to simplify its share capital structure as it reports a period of continued strong trading during the spring months.

St Austell sees turnover reach £116m

15-May-2014 By John Harrington

St Austell has reported a 7.4% rise in EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) to £13.8m in the year to 28 December on turnover up 10% to £116.6m, with growth recorded in every division.

Suffolk's Bull Inn crowned Britain's 'funkiest B&B'

15-May-2014 By Helen Gilbert

A former 17th century coaching inn has added another award to its trophy cabinet after been crowned the ‘funkiest’ B&B in Britain in the AA Bed and Breakfast Awards 2014-2015.

ALMR warns Cable his zero hours plan could hit pub jobs

15-May-2014 By James Wallin

A trade body has warned Vince Cable about wrapping pubs in red tape over zero hours contracts, which it said can offer much-needed flexibility to the sector.

Enfield licensees accuse police of harassment

14-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Publicans in a north London borough are considering taking legal action against police for harassment, after officers visited pubs up to twice a week to carry out licence checks.

Breadline licensees could lose tax credits

14-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Publicans currently claiming working tax credits could lose the benefit if their pub is not “gainful” under new Government changes, according to trade accountants.

CAMRA delivers petition to Vince Cable urging for pubco reform

14-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has mounted renewed pressure on the Government for pubco reform by delivering a petition to business secretary Vince Cable today.

Pub sector saw sales boom across the UK in April

14-May-2014 By James Wallin

Pub and restaurant groups saw a 4.4% rise in like-for-like sales in April – with growth particularly strong outside of London.