MA Leaders Club

Review of the Week

'NLW rise will mean we need to turn over quarter of a million more'

24-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with Mojo's Martin Greenhow to get his take on the week's news and the Autumn Statement.

Exclusive

East London Pub Co goes into administration

24-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The East London Pub Company has gone into administration, although the businesses four sites are continuing to trade.

Train strikes hit trade at Nightcap, revenue up 42.7% in FY23

23-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Current trade at Nightcap has been hit by rail strikes and warm weather but revenue in its financial year to July has risen by 42.7%.

Famed sandwich maker and publican to open third pub

20-Nov-2023 By The Morning Advertiser

Sandwich supremo Max Halley and publican Ethan Davids are opening their third pub together later this month.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Business rates support ‘is the big one’

17-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington spoke to Oak Taverns managing director Simon Collinson to get his thoughts on the week's news and the upcoming Autumn Statement on Wednesday 22 November.

Loungers opens four sites, roll-out plans on track

13-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Loungers boss Nick Collins has expressed his joy at opening four sites since mid-September and confirmed the company’s fast-track roll-out plans are on track.

Operator branded 'angry little man' by customer expecting free drinks

10-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

A pub operator has been forced to put a sign on his frozen cocktail machine after a customer helped themselves then complained the drinks were not free on Trip Advisor.

Review of the Week

‘It doesn't feel like inflation is under control’

10-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington spoke to Brucan Pubs’ James Lyon-Shaw to get his take on the week's events.

Ollie Vaulkhard: 'It’s not the Government’s job to save you'

10-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Vaulkhard Group is weathering financial challenges, but trade is strong and the director predicts great times ahead for hospitality.

Peach Pubs key to future growth for Revolution

07-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Peach Pubs is key to future growth for Revolution Bars Group as many younger guests at its other brands are being impacted most by inflationary pressures.

BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: Ollie Vaulkhard is playing the long game

07-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Light streams into the Newcastle-based eatery Bealim House as Ollie Vaulkhard logs on for our interview.

Oakman updates on challenges and improvements

06-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

CEO of multiple operator Oakman Group Peter Borg-Neal has updated the company’s response to industry challenges and trading improvements in a recent shareholder letter.

Green Salmon Co boss: ‘pubs are a crucial part of the community’

03-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

In the latest Review of the Week, The Morning Advertiser’s Nikkie Thatcher spoke with Green Salmon Company’s David Salmon about the past seven days.

EXCLUSIVE

North reopening ‘cherished’ bar

03-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator North has revealed it is reopening a ‘cherished’ site in Chapel Allerton next week following its closure last month (October).

North Brewing opens first international site

31-Oct-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Leeds-based brewer and operator North Brewing has announced has opened its first international bar in Treviso, Italy.

Red Oak Taverns acquisition history

27-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Multi-site operator Red Oak Taverns has procured some 25 pubs across the country so far this year, bringing its total number of venues to more than 200.

BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: Tom Davies of Brakspear

23-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Regrets? Tom Davies of Brakspear doesn’t dwell on them.

OPINION

Company culture: how we can stand out from the pack

20-Oct-2023 By Kamran Dehdashti and Jamie Hazeel, founders, Little Door & Co

In the current economic climate, many hospitality businesses are finding the conditions tougher than ever – margins are being squeezed across the board, and revenue is less reliable and consistent than before.

Brakspear boss: business rates rise threat hangs over the sector

20-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies has described the threat of business rates rises and the current discount being axed in April next year as “the Sword of Damocles” hanging over the sector.

Ex-England cricketers host ‘thank you’ lunch for firefighters

17-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Cat & Wickets pubco, owned by former cricket stars Harry Gurney and Stuart Broad, has hosted a ‘thank you’ lunch for the firefighters who doused the blaze that destroyed its Tap & Run pub in June 2022.

Revolution announces revenue lift as cost-of-living bites

17-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Revolution Bars Group has announced a revenue lift of £11.8m to £152.6m while like-for-like (lfl) sales fell by 8.7% in its preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 1 July 2023.

Loungers targets record number of openings

13-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Loungers CEO Nick Collins has cited the “continued evolution” of the business as key to its sales growth in a trading update for the 24 weeks ended 1 October 2023.

Brakspear pumps £2m into two L&T sites

13-Oct-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

South east-based multiple operator Brakspear is investing £2m into two of its leased and tenanted sites after signing agreements with growing pub groups Little & Large and Friendship and Beer.

Review of the Week

'National living wage is very inflationary'

05-Oct-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington catches up with award winning operator Clive Price of Barons Pub Company for his take on the week's news.

Hydes MD: 'We beat our trading expectations'

03-Oct-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Salford-based brewer and pub retailer Hydes celebrated a "brilliant" record turnover for the financial year 2022 to 2023.

Ex-England cricketers’ pubco empowers staff

25-Sep-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Teamwork certainly makes the dream work at The Cat & Wickets Pub Company, which is owned by ex-England cricketers Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney.

City Pub Group celebrates strong summer trade

21-Sep-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The City Pub Group has reported positive trade across summer and the group continues to operate in line with full year expectations.

MA LEADERS CLUB

Tips on recruiting chefs from overseas

18-Sep-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Operators attending the latest MA Leaders Club in Bristol heard how one business recruited from overseas to help ease staff shortages.

MA LEADERS CLUB

Operators reveal the secrets behind trading in Bristol

14-Sep-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Sustainability and independent venues are important to the pubgoers of Bristol, delegates at The Morning Advertiser's MA Leaders Club heard in the city this week (Wednesday 13 September).

KLM Pubco snaps up biggest site yet

13-Sep-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

KLM Pubco has taken on the Marquis of Ormonde in Ripley, Derbyshire, which is its biggest site to date.

A look at the MA Leaders Bristol study tour venues

11-Sep-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

With the last MA Leaders Club meeting of 2023 taking place this week, we've taken a look at where we will be visiting as part of the event in Bristol.

St Austell Brewery acquires Bath Pub Company

11-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

St Austell Brewery has announced its procurement of the Bath Pub Company.

Review of the Week

'I don't feel represented'

24-Aug-2023 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.

Review of the Week

'Recruitment is getting a bit easier'

18-Aug-2023 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.

My Pub

My Pub: the Strait & Narrow, Lincoln

18-Aug-2023 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.

Review of the Week

'We're cheaper than McDonalds!'

11-Aug-2023 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.

The Botanist bars owner appoints Amber Wood as COO

10-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Bar operator New World Trading Company (NWTC) has appointed Amber Wood as its new chief operating officer.

My Shout

Where is the outrage for all pubs?

10-Aug-2023 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.

Review of the Week

'Can't see it getting a lot better'

04-Aug-2023 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.

Heartwood Collection boss: 'rebrand symbolises the business we are trying to be’

03-Aug-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The recent rebrand for Heartwood Collection from Brasserie Bar Co is part of the company’s strategy to branch out into pubs with rooms.

My Pub

My Pub: the Red Lion, Shepperton, Surrey

02-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Riverside pub the Red Lion in Shepperton is a Great British Pub Awards winner – and with good reason.

My Pub

My Pub: Greene Oak, Oakley Green, Berkshire

28-Jul-2023 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.

Review of the Week

'We've got to support each other'

28-Jul-2023 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.

Late-night trade challenging for Revolution Bars Group

26-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Revolution Bars Group has admitted late-night trading continues to be a struggle as it posted overall like-for-like (lfl) sales were 8.7% down versus pre-Covid.

‘Exceptional’ performance by Brunning & Price

19-Jul-2023 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).

Review of the Week

‘It’s a bit of a war out there’

14-Jul-2023 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.

Reilley: Sector not ‘all doom and gloom’ as Loungers posts record results

12-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Loungers chairman Alex Reilley has claimed it is not fair to say the sector is “all doom and gloom” as the café-bar operator reported like-for-like (lfl) sales up 7.4% in its financial year (FY23) results.

Cat & Wickets eyes expansion, £750k revamp of Griffin planned

11-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Cat & Wickets Pub Company, owned by cricket stars Harry Gurney and Stuart Broad, and former Peach Pubs chief Lee Cash, is targeting expansion with one site more per year opening until 2026.

Multi-site operators to visit UK's 'first cycling city'

10-Jul-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

With the MA Leaders Club crowd set to hit Bristol later this year (September), we’ve looked at the history of the city and its thriving food and drink scene.

Brunning & Price co-founder takes on 5th site for Pubs Ltd

10-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Co-founder of Brunning & Price pubs – Jerry Brunning – has taken a fifth site for his Pubs Ltd group.