Independent Operators

#PubOpsClub: Tap water costs the pub trade £700m in lost profits

18-Feb-2014 By Robyn Black

Pubs need to be aware of what they are losing in terms of tap water “sales”, said Smith of Freedrinks, the firm behind new “tingly” soft drink Zeo.

West Yorkshire campaign group urges pubco to reopen pub for Tour de France

18-Feb-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A West Yorkshire campaign group has written to Enterprise Inns CEO Simon Townsend urging for the reopening of a pub in time for the Tour de France in July 2014.

Pubs warned to be vigilant of Neknomination drinking craze

18-Feb-2014 By Belinda Liversedge

Neknominate, the social media drinking craze where ‘players’ down alcoholic drinks on camera, has claimed at least four lives, and now licensees have been urged to be wary of allowing lethal ‘games’ to occur on licensed premises.

Win the chance to recreate your pub in Rio this summer

18-Feb-2014 By Robyn Black

One lucky licensee will get the chance to recreate his or her pub in Rio de Janeiro this summer, as part of a new campaign for “man crisps” McCoy’s.

National Pubwatch recognises licensee and police officer in annual awards

17-Feb-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The chairman of Bournemouth Town Watch and a Cumbrian police officer have been recognised in two special awards at the National Pubwatch (NPW) Conference today.

Pub is the Hub helps Blue Bell Inn, Halkyn diversify with post office counter

17-Feb-2014 By Helen Gilbert

A North Wales pub is serving stamps alongside its cider and giving punters the chance to collect their pensions while popping in for a pint.

Flood-hit pubs count the cost of UK storms

12-Feb-2014 By Helen Gilbert

Flood-stricken pubs are working around the clock to keep their doors open as the UK continues to be battered by heavy rain.

CAMRA crowns its National Pub of the Year

12-Feb-2014 By Helen Gilbert

A picturesque Lancashire village pub has fought off competition from 57,000 pubs to be named CAMRA's best in Britain.

Oxfordshire licensee speaks of pride after Cameron-Hollande visit

11-Feb-2014 By Helen Gilbert

The licensee of an Oxfordshire pub has told of the “enormous sense of pride” he and his staff felt after a recent visit by Prime Minister David Cameron and French president Francois Hollande.

BII to launch revised Pre-Entry Awareness Training programme

11-Feb-2014 By Helen Gilbert

The BII (British Institute of Innkeeping) is to launch a revised Pre-Entry Awareness Training (PEAT) programme next month after members branded the current content ‘basic’.

Pub entrepreneur Kennedy managing former Bramwell sites

11-Feb-2014 By John Harrington

Pub entrepreneur Ted Kennedy has been appointed to manage 12 former Bramwell Pub Company sites on behalf of the landlord.

Drinkaware research praises pubs for tackling harmful alcohol consumption

11-Feb-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Pubs and clubs that refuse access to drunks are having a positive impact in tackling the harmful side of alcohol consumption in the UK.

Shepherd Neame launches branded coffee concept

11-Feb-2014 By Lesley Foottit

Kent brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame has launched a branded coffee concept to raise its tenants’ revenues.

Sales grow 60% at new-look Chicago Rock Cafe

07-Feb-2014 By John Harrington

Chicago Leisure has seen sales at its new-look Chicago Rock Café grow by more than 60% since it relaunched in November, as it firms up plans to expand.

CAMRA hits target of 300 ACV-listed pubs

06-Feb-2014 By Michelle Perrett

CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) has hit its target of getting 300 pubs listed as assets of community value (ACVs).

Frederic Robinson to develop managed estate

05-Feb-2014 By Rob Willock

Cheshire brewer and pub operator Frederic Robinson is planning to develop a managed estate by converting its tenanted pubs with million pound turnover potential into managed sites.

Inventive Leisure back on the acquisition trail

04-Feb-2014 By John Harrington

Inventive Leisure, the Revolution bar operator, says it now plans to return to the acquisition trail after successfully refinancing its bank facilities.

Admiral Taverns announces new chief executive

03-Feb-2014 By Mark Wingett

Admiral Taverns boss Jonathan Paveley is to step down after fours in the role, to be replaced immediately by current managing director Kevin Georgel.

Err…yes Prime Minister

03-Feb-2014 By Robert Sayles

Knock knock….“Ah Humphrey, come in.”“You wanted to see me Prime Minister.”“Yes. Something rather odd happened last evening. I popped along to my local pub with Samantha for a pint and a bite to eat. Guess what? The bloody thing’s boarded up! What’s going...

Losing London pubs would be an "absolute disgrace", claims senior CAMRA member

03-Feb-2014 By Lewis Brown

A senior Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) member has said it would be an “absolute disgrace” if two London pubs were turned into residential properties as more than 4,000 people rally to save them.

High Court rules Swansea licensee broke copyright law with Premier League football screening

31-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

The High Court has ruled a pub licensee in Swansea broke copyright law by broadcasting Premier League football using a foreign satellite card, which was for private use only.

Survey launched to get young people's views on pub trade

31-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

A new careers survey has been launched by the team behind the Pub & Bar Careers programme to gain an understanding of young people’s views of the sector.

CAMRA award leaves London licensee lost for words

30-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

A London licensee was lost for words when he was presented with an award by Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) north London branch, just as the branch celebrated 40 years of campaigning.

Award-winning licensees Leonard & McCartan secure second Sussex pub

30-Jan-2014 By Mark Wingett

Licensees Dominic McCartan and Tony Leonard have said that they could eventually grow an estate of five pubs across Sussex, after taking on their second pub, the Roebuck Inn in East Sussex.

Fuller's reports like-for-like sales up

30-Jan-2014

Fuller’s, the London-based brewer and pub operator, has reported a 7.2% rise in like-for-like sales in its managed division in the 10 weeks to 25 January and said the good results caused it to bring forward additional projects this financial year

Prince Charles and Camilla visit the Purleigh Bell in support of Pub is the Hub

30-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

Prince Charles and Camilla visited the Bell Inn in Purleigh, Essex yesterday in support of Pub is the Hub.

Cerberus acquires more pubs in £170m deal

30-Jan-2014 By Mark Wingett

Cerberus Capital Management, the US private equity owner of Admiral Taverns, has completed the acquisition of a 102-strong portfolio of pubs from Nick Leslau’s Prestbury Holdings, in a deal valued at £170m.

Couple celebrate working 35 years at East Yorkshire pub

29-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

A couple from Preston, near Hull, East Yorkshire, are celebrating after working at the Punch Tavern-owned Nags Head pub for 35 years.

Cubitt House arrives into King's Cross

28-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Upmarket pub operator Cubitt House will open a new venue on Granary Square within the Kings Cross redevelopment in London in mid-2015.

New energy audit programme could save licensees thousands

27-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Pubs could save thousands of pounds on their energy bills by taking part in a new energy audit programme from NatWest and RBS.

BBPA produces World Cup guidance for pubs

24-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has produced guidance for pubs to help them make the most of this year’s World Cup which is being held in Brazil.

Kent licensee 'in limbo' after patio setback

23-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A Kent licensee fears for his trade after he was banned from using the patio next to his bar due to noise, despite the fact it has been part of his business for 12 years.

Thwaites plans 60 redundancies in brewing restructure

21-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Daniel Thwaites, the Lancashire-based brewer and pub operator, has announced plans to further restructure its brewing operations that could lead to the loss of a further 60 jobs.

Time for a fresh industry attitude

20-Jan-2014 By Ashley McCarthy

A New Year, same old story? Come on — let’s blow the cobwebs away and make 2014 a year to remember for our industry, argues BII Licensee of the Year Ashley McCarthy.

Go Hard or Go Home: Licensee David Ripo on his Texas white-water challenge

20-Jan-2014 By David Ripo

Four Essex-based licensees feature in a new Channel 5 reality show Go Hard or Go Home, where ordinary members of the public take part in some of the world’s most extreme endurance races with only 12 weeks to prepare. Here one of them, David Ripo, blogs...

Oxford pub pushes the boat out to stay afloat in the floods

20-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

Pub-goers who have battled the elements to reach their local in Oxford have been rewarded with a bite to eat or money off their bar bill.

Industry figures defend trade over report that claims bartenders routinely serve drunks

17-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Leading industry figures have defended the pub trade against a report that has claimed that licensees routinely break a law which says they should refuse to serve people who already drunk.

New chair of SIA takes up role

16-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

Elizabeth France has started her new role as the chair of the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

CAMRA launches petition calling for Pubs Watchdog

16-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

CAMRA, (Campaign for Real Ale), has launched a petition to build pressure on the Government in advance of the Parliamentary debate on Tuesday (21 Jan) calling for a Pubs Watchdog.

The Chublican: Licensees’ lifestyles laid bare in health survey

15-Jan-2014 By Rob Willock

The average pub licensee is bordering on obese, according to research conducted by the PMA with Channel 5.

Two Cornish pubs in library pilot scheme

15-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

Two rural pubs in Cornwall have teamed up with Cornwall Council in a pilot scheme to provide community libraries for local residents.

Hall & Woodhouse secures funding for new pubs

15-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Hall & Woodhouse, the Dorset-based brewer and pub operator, has secured a £20m, 10 year loan from M&G Investments to help it acquire and invest in new pubs.

Everards eyes six acquisitions in 2014

14-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Everards managing director Stephen Gould has told M&C Report he hopes to add around six sites this year, as the company reports a 1.7% rise in profit before tax and exceptionals to £1.6m in the year to 30 September.

All Bar One eyes airport debut

13-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is in talks to open a first site under its All Bar One brand at Birmingham Airport, M&C Report understands.

Butcombe to take action against legal advisors

13-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Butcombe Brewery has reported a sharp fall in full-year profits and says it’s taking action against its legal advisors in relation to costs incurred to enact a break clause on a pub lease.

Bramwell owed £60.6m at collapse

10-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Bramwell Pub Company collapsed owing £60.6m to creditors, according to a new report that says the decision to put the company in administration followed a deterioration of trade and was sparked by one of its suppliers reducing its credit terms and demanding...

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