MA Leaders Club

What's in the news 25 August?

Review of the Week

'I don't feel represented'

By Ed Bedington

Top chef and pub and bistro operator Gary Usher calls for more passion from lobbyists, greater support for independent businesses, a reduction in VAT and talks about the challenges around recruitment in the MA's Review of the Week.

What's in the news 18 August?

Review of the Week

'Recruitment is getting a bit easier'

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington met up with Yummy Collection's Anthony Pender to chat through the week's news, from takeaway pints to energy and new openings.

Strait up: there's a ’90s vibe at the Strait & Narrow

My Pub

My Pub: the Strait & Narrow, Lincoln

By Gary Lloyd

The Strait & Narrow is set in the centre of Lincoln and was deemed best-in-class when it won Best City/Urban Pub in the Great British Pubs Awards 2022.

What's in the news 11 August

Review of the Week

'We're cheaper than McDonalds!'

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with Revolution boss Rob Pitcher to get his take on the week's news from inflation to late night closures and the opportunities for AI.

Crooked House Dudley should be a reminder of pub plight

My Shout

Where is the outrage for all pubs?

By Heath Ball

The justified anger and passion from the general public, members of parliament, and the press regarding the suspected arson of the beloved Crooked House near Dudley has truly captured the nation's attention and fuelled our collective outrage.

What's in the news 4 August?

Review of the Week

'Can't see it getting a lot better'

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Frisco Pubs boss and podcast legend Heath Ball to get his take on the week's news, from duty changes and utilities profits to the weather.

Green initiative: the Greene Oak is one of Brucan Pubs' five sites

My Pub

My Pub: Greene Oak, Oakley Green, Berkshire

By Gary Lloyd

James Lyon-Shaw is the owner of Brucan Pubs, which includes the Greene Oak, which won Green King Pub of the Year in the Great British Pub Awards 2022. Here he gives The Morning Advertiser a virtual tour around the site.

What's in the news 28 July?

Review of the Week

'We've got to support each other'

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with the Vaulkhard Group's Ollie Vaulkhard to talk about challenges, positivity and the price of a pint.

Good results: Brunning & Price site the Roe Deer in Wordsley, Stourbridge, West Midlands

‘Exceptional’ performance by Brunning & Price

By Gary Lloyd

The Restaurant Group (TRG), which operates the Brunning & Price pub brand, has reported an “exceptional trading performance” in the first half its 2023 financial year (FY23).

What's in the news 14 July

Review of the Week

‘It’s a bit of a war out there’

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Heartwood Collection chairman Mark Derry to discuss the week's news, from duty rates to recruitment and the need to be more upbeat.

What's in the news 7th July

Review of the Week

Three year anniversary since Independence Day!

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with Anglian Country Inns boss James Nye to get his take on the week's news, from milestone anniversaries to machine learning!

High class: the renovated Harrogate Inn from The Inn Collection Group

A look at Inn Collection’s reopened Harrogate site

By Gary Lloyd

Newcastle-based pubs with rooms operator The Inn Collection Group has reopened the St George Hotel after a refurbishment under the new name of the Harrogate Inn. Here, we give you a look around the renovated site.

Estate expansion: Red Oak Taverns has completed six acquisitions this year (image: Getty/simarik)

Red Oak Taverns adds 2 pubs to growing estate

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multi-site operator Red Oak Taverns has exchanged contracts on the Croft in Wednesbury, West Midlands and the Bulls Head in Clipston, near Market Harborough, Northamptonshire from Everards.

Characterful site: Charlie Gilkes (left) says Inception group will open ‘a very original bar concept’

Inception Group takes Borough Yards site

By Gary Lloyd

Inception Group, which operates the Mr Fogg’s brand, has signed a lease at Borough Yards to open its 15th site – with the proposed concept to be announced later this year.

BrewDog background: there have been many acquisitions from the business since it started

BrewDog’s acquisition history

By Nikkie Thatcher

The Morning Advertiser has taken a trip down memory lane to look at how BrewDog has become the global bar business it is today.

Company news: Ciara Allan (left) and Laura Lewis (right) have been appointed to Arc Inspirations' board

Arc makes two new board appointments

By Nikkie Thatcher

Leeds-based multiple operator Arc Inspirations has announced the appointments of a new chief financial officer (CFO) and a promotion to marketing director.

Company acquisition: 'These are long-established, well-run bars that fit well with our existing portfolio and our model of running multiple brands in clusters in London and around the country,' Nightcap CEO Sarah Willingham says

Nightcap acquires Dirty Martini

By Nikkie Thatcher

Bar operator Nightcap has acquired the Dirty Martini chain of cocktail bars and Tuttons Brasserie in a £4.65m pre-pack deal.

Growth trajectory: The Alchemist reveals its future plans

The Alchemist eyes further UK growth

By Nikkie Thatcher

Creative cocktail bar and restaurant group The Alchemist is looking to expand its portfolio in the UK following its first international opening in Berlin, Germany.

Technological advances: Zonal's Glenn Tait highlights how AI can influence and aid businesses in the hospitality sector

MA LEADERS CLUB

AI’s role in hospitality

By Nikkie Thatcher

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to be the next piece of technology to help operators grow their businesses, one expert has revealed.

Travel sites: the first in the roll out is at London Gatwick, which is due to open in December

BrewDog to open sites at travel hubs

By Nikkie Thatcher

Craft brewer and operator BrewDog is set to roll out expansion plans at airport and railway stations across the UK.

Scene setting: (l-r) The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington quizzed Newcastle business bosses Malhotra Group chief operating office Atul Malhotra, NE1 chief executive Stephen Patterson, Vaulkhard Group director Ollie Vaulkhard

MA LEADERS CLUB

What operating in Newcastle is really like

By Nikkie Thatcher

Delegates at The Morning Advertiser’s MA Leaders Club heard from top operators on what Newcastle is like to operate in and how businesses are battling ongoing challenges.

MA Leaders Newcastle: the conference is underway as operators and experts share what it is like to trade in the city

MA Leaders Newcastle happening today

By Rebecca Weller

The MA Leaders Club meeting in Newcastle is underway with operators and experts revealing what it’s like to trade in the city alongside where the opportunities and challenges are.

How to survive in the pub trade

'Total war' - surviving 20 years in the trade

By Ed Bedington

Surviving 20 years in the pub trade without going backwards is no mean feat, but the founders of the Three Cheers Pub Co can look back with a real sense of achievement.

Multiple business: the Box joins Arc's Manahatta venue in Birmingham

Arc to open biggest Box site to date

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Arc Inspirations is preparing to open its largest Box site in Brindleyplace, Birmingham next month (June).

Village people: the Urban Village Pubs team celebrates victory at the Publican Awards in March 2023

The three keys to Urban Village Pubs’ success

By Gary Lloyd

Making a community a stronger place is one of the reasons why Urban Village Pubs won Best Community Pub winner at the Publican Awards, according to the pubco’s co-founder Ian Grundy.

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