MA Leaders Club

Executive team: (l-r) Peter Borg-Neal, Dermot King and Joycelyn Neve

Oakman acquires six Seafood sites

By Nikkie Thatcher

Hertfordshire-based multiple operator The Oakman Group has acquired six pubs from the administrators of Seafood Pub Company.

'Careful cost management': 'the directors have a view that The City and West End will take a year to return to pre-covid levels of trade,' an Urban Pubs & Bars statement said

Urban Pubs & Bars sees significant lockdown losses

By Georgia Cronin, MCA

Urban Pubs & Bars lost out on £2.5m in sales in the first month of the March lockdown, and incurred a significant shortfall in profit due to its inability to mitigate costs immediately at the point of closure.

Operator view: reopening with heavy restrictions means risking that 'customers will not enjoy the experience and will be lost to the industry for the long-term,' according to John Ellis

opinion

'Opening up too early risks ruining pub experience'

By John Ellis, Crown Inn, Oakengates and Elephant & Castle, Dawley

I'm very concerned about the headlines this weekend that big property companies such as JD Wetherspoon and Young's are pushing the conversation towards opening up the industry before that would be viable.

What's in the news 12 February?

The MA’s Review of the Week

‘Forget’ overseas tourists this summer

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with City Pub Group chairman Clive Watson to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

Industry voices: a plethora of trade experts will be revealing their plans and advice during the online conference

Future planning focus for first 2021 MA500

By Nikkie Thatcher

The first MA500 conference of 2021 is set to take place this month (Thursday 11 February) when we will be looking to help operators gear up for the year ahead.

Business bosses: Oakman executive chairman (left) Peter Borg-Neal and chief executive officer (right) Dermot King

Oakman adds to portfolio alongside £3.6m share raise

By Nikkie Thatcher

Hertfordshire-based multiple operator Oakman Inns has outlined its plans for this year including a “substantial pipeline of sites ready for development” and the addition of a freehold venue in Harpenden.

Ultimate bombshell: ‘we are hoping that next time we open a great new pub, it doesn’t have to close down within six hours’

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

‘We spent more than £100k to trade for 6 hours’

By Chris Tulloch, MD Blind Tiger Inns

In the third instalment of our series looking back on the past 12 months, we hear from Blind Tiger Inns’ Chris Tulloch and his reflections on opening a pub on the day the UK entered its first nationwide lockdown.

Opinion piece: 'Normally I prefer cock up theories to conspiracy, but a combination of no science and no support points firmly to the latter,' says Black Sheep Brewery boss Andy Slee

Opinion

Cock up or conspiracy?

By Andy Slee, chairman of Black Sheep Brewery

We learnt recently that the hard working publicans of Britain are worth about 0.5% as much to the Government as a Track & Trace consultant.

Pubco rebrand: 'our ambition is to be the number one community pub company, and next month we will rebrand to ‘Hawthorn: The Community Pub Company’, putting our purpose right at the heart of our business for everybody to see,' Mark Davies explained

Hawthorn Leisure unveils community-focused rebrand

By Stuart Stone

Real estate investment trust NewRiver’s 700-strong pub arm will rebrand as ‘Hawthorn: The Community Pub Company’ as it seeks to become the UK’s number one community operator.

Fuller's finance: 'It has not been easy, but prudent financial management, an estate that is 92% freehold, and a strong balance sheet mean that we will be in the best possible position to get back on a growth trajectory, Simon Emeny explained

Covid measures hit Fuller’s for £22m in six months

By Stuart Stone

Pub operator Fuller, Smith & Turner has revealed a swing of around £40m from profit to loss in its financial results for the 26 weeks to 26 September after its pubs spent more than half of the period in lockdown.

Redundancies reined in? 'Whitbread’s long-term strategy remains as relevant and compelling as ever,' Whitbread CEO Alison Brittain said of the company’s latest financial results

Whitbread could halve job cuts

By Stuart Stone

The operator behind Brewers Fayre, Beefeater and Premier Inn may significantly reduce redundancy plans following the extension of the furlough scheme and vaccine breakthrough.

How much rent are pub companies charging in lockdown?

Pub companies announce lockdown rent plans

By Emily Hawkins

Pub companies including Greene King and Stonegate Pub Company have confirmed rent reductions for tenants to 10% for the second lockdown period.

Hit hard: the late-night sector has been shut since March, with no news on a reopening date

Deltic Group 'put up for sale'

By Nikkie Thatcher

Late-night operator Deltic Group has launched a merger and acquisition process in a bid to help its future, The Morning Advertiser understands.

Well placed: 'Whitbread’s long-term strategy remains as relevant and compelling as ever,' Whitbread CEO Alison Brittain said

Whitbread ‘well placed’ in the UK despite pandemic losses

By Stuart Stone

The operator behind brands such as Brewers Fayre, Beefeater and Premier Inn has revealed a swing from £219.9m in pre-tax profit to a statutory loss of £724.7m in its interim first half results for the 2021 financial year.

Proactive step: 'the CVA proposed by the group’s Revolution Bars Limited subsidiary entity, if agreed by landlords, is another proactive step to lower outgoings to help safeguard the future of the group' according to CEO Rob Pitcher

Revolution Bars Limited CVA launched

By Stuart Stone

Nationwide bar operator Revolution Bars Group has launched a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) of subsidiary Revolution Bars Limited in a bid to improve the wider group’s long-term financial position.

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