Other operators

Craft Union Pubco opens doors of 5 pubs after £1m investment

24-Jul-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Craft Union Pub Company has opened five new sites following an investment of more than £1m.

Robinsons pumps £1m into Macclesfield pub

23-Jul-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Brewer and pub operator Robinsons has announced the reopening of the Flower Pot in Macclesfield after ploughing £1m into the venue as part of a long-term plan to invest in its 250-strong stable.

Manchester's Deaf Institute and Gorilla saved from closure

23-Jul-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Two notable Manchester music venues, The Deaf Institute and Gorilla, have been saved from closure after acquisition by Tokyo Industries.

Pub company co-owned by Stuart Broad registers ‘pleasing and humbling’ post-lockdown innings

22-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Co-founded by cricketers Harry Gurney and current England international Stuart Broad, the Midlands-based Cat & Wickets Pub Company has recorded stronger than expected takings straight off the bat after reopening on 4 July.

Little interview

Pub operator wants taxpayer money ‘spent somewhere else’ after successfully diversifying trade

21-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

A Norfolk pub operator plans to eschew further taxpayer-funded Government support for his site after registering year-on-year growth under a diversified business model since lockdown.

Rileys Sports Bars seeks buyer after entering administration

20-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Insolvency specialists are seeking a buyer for Rileys Sports Bars after the pool and snooker hall chain fell into administration amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Little Interview

After a decade in the trade running a post-lockdown pub ‘feels like a new job’

16-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Despite celebrating his tenth year at the Castle Inn in Skipton, North Yorkshire, during lockdown, operator Calvin Dow feels like a new-starter running his reopened pub under the Government’s ‘Covid-secure’ guidance.

Return of consumer confidence key to triggering investment in the hospitality sector

14-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

Restored consumer confidence is the key to boosting levels of investment in the hospitality sector after a 6% – roughly £800m – year-on-year hit according to OakNorth Bank’s senior debt finance director.

Little interview

Pub atmosphere has been ‘much more civilised’ since lockdown

13-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

The owner of an award-winning clifftop Cornish pub in Crantock near Newquay claims Government guidelines for hospitality operators have created a ‘much more civilised atmosphere’ at her pub post-lockdown.

How have pubs adapted to the 'new normal'?

10-Jul-2020 By Ed Bedington

With pub across the UK now starting to reopen, The Morning Advertiser spoke to a few operators across Surrey and Sussex about their experience of opening up on 4 July.

Prince William pops to the pub for a pint

06-Jul-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Pubs received their biggest show of support prior to reopening on Saturday 4 July when HRH the Duke of Cambridge popped into the Rose & Crown in Snettisham, Norfolk, for a swift pint.

Hall & Woodhouse will keep two-metre distancing for reopening

03-Jul-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Brewer and operator Hall & Woodhouse has revealed details of its phased reopening plans including two-metre distanced tables, bookings of no more than six people and guests booking 90-minute periods.

It’s all about the customers!

30-Jun-2020 By Ed Bedington

With pubs gearing up for independence day from next Saturday (4 July), The Morning Advertiser spoke to a group of operators to find out what it was they were most looking forward to when it comes to the industry getting back up and running.

To open, or not to open…

29-Jun-2020 By Ed Bedington

Not all pubs will be flinging their doors open on Saturday 4 July, with many choosing to wait and see how the public reacts to the new situation.

Pub closures ‘stabilise’ despite Covid-19 shutdown

29-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

The latest figures on pub closures have revealed that the number of pubs in England and Wales calling final orders in the first half of 2020 remained flat year-on-year, despite the enforced closure in March.

Regional operator readies for staggered reopening

29-Jun-2020 By Emily Hawkins

East-Anglian pub operator Chestnut has used a survey of pubgoers to formulate a reopening strategy revolving around limited numbers and a focus on outdoor seating.

Timpson family acquires 16 Hospitality from administrators

24-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

The family behind nationwide shoe repair chain, Timpson, has tied up a deal for beleaguered pub operator 16 Hospitality for an undisclosed sum – saving almost 100 jobs in the process.

'Excitement tempered with trepidation' - how are publicans preparing for a July restart?

23-Jun-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Though excitement is building for the reopening of pubs, a number of operators have told The Morning Advertiser (MA) they are either reluctant or unable to open on the earmarked 4 July date even if allowed.

‘Bleak outlook’ from operators looking to bounce back in second half of 2020

22-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

While a survey by UKHospitality (UKH) found that pubs were the hospitality industry’s most optimistic sub-sector ahead of the resumption of trade in July, the overall picture suggests a long and painful recovery from Covid-19.

Everards rejects petition claims it has refused to rename ‘Black Boy’ pub

18-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

Family brewer and pub operator Everards of Leicestershire has disputed claims it has outright refused to change the name of one of its pubs amid concerns over racial connotations.

Admiral Taverns launches online pub support platform

17-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

Community pub operator Admiral Taverns has launched a new online support platform to help the publicans behind its estate of around 1,000 sites prepare for life after lockdown.

Shepherd Neame reveals reopening rent plan

15-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Kent brewer and operator Shepherd Neame has announced a phased rent proposal for its licensees after the anticipated reopening of pubs on 4 July.

Most operators need rent reduction of at least two fifths over next six months

12-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The majority of operators need a minimum 41% rent reduction in order to trade for the rest of this year, new data has found.

Long-term support on rent for Admiral tenants

12-Jun-2020 By Ed Bedington

Admiral Taverns' tenants are being offered tapered rent support from reopening all the way through to April next year, the company has announced.

'The Government needs to get out of the way'

11-Jun-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Government needs to get out of the way and let the sector manage the process of reopening safely, according to leading hospitality investor Charlie McVeigh.

Robinsons offers tapered rent discounts from July

11-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Robinsons Brewery, which operates more than 260 pubs across north Wales and England, will begin tapering its rent discounts from July.

The Restaurant Group CVA ‘won’t impact pub operations’

10-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has announced that a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) to reduce the size of its leisure estate will not impact its pub operations.

#unitedwestand

Hall & Woodhouse outlines rent plans for reopening

08-Jun-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Family brewer Hall & Woodhouse (H&W) has said the rent cancellation and loan suspension period will be extended to cover the pubs’ reopening phase.

#Unitedwestand

Young’s planning to open all pubs on 3 August

04-Jun-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

South-east-based pub group Young’s is looking to reopen all its sites later this summer (3 August), it has announced.

#Unitedwestand

One-metre rule saves Danish pub from ‘impossible’ 70% capacity cut

03-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

After reopening under one-metre social distancing, a gastropub operator in Denmark’s capital has revealed that it would have been ‘impossible’ for his businesses to turn a profit had measures not been reduced from two metres.

Wellington Pub Company

Licensees rebuff billionaire-owned pubco's rent offer

29-May-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Wellington Pub Company publicans have rebuffed the landlord’s offer of three months’ free rent and two quarters charged at 50%, following an updated statement from the pub group.

#Unitedwestand

Evolution is key to survival for pubs

27-May-2020 By Ed Bedington

Ongoing adaption has been the key to success for one award-winning operator in East Sussex.

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Operator spends thousands from his own pocket to feed locals

22-May-2020 By Stuart Stone

An Admiral Taverns licensee has used community donations and close to £9,000 of his own money to cook 500 free meals per day for his community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hopkins to retire from Hydes

21-May-2020 By Ed Bedington

Industry veteran Chris Hopkins has announced he’s stepping down from the managing director role at Manchester-based family brewer Hydes after 22 years at the helm.

#Unitedwestand

Charlie McVeigh: ‘cure is becoming worse than the disease’

21-May-2020 By Finn Scott-Delany

Draft House founder Charlie McVeigh has called on the hospitality industry to help the country turn the page and combat public ‘FOGO’ – the ‘fear of going out’.

#unitedwestand

Patience, confidence and ongoing support key to getting pubs back up and running

21-May-2020 By Ed Bedington

Slow and steady will be the key to reopening the pub sector, while consumer confidence in the safety of pubs will play a vital role, according to some of the UK’s leading family brewers.

#Unitedwestand

The Coaching Inn Group secures £2.5m to ‘see out the next stage of the pandemic’

21-May-2020 By Stuart Stone

The Coaching Inn Group has secured additional funding under the Government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and resumed renovation of its newest site.

#Unitedwestand

Lockdown shop is a hit with locals

18-May-2020 By Ed Bedington

Pubs continue to adapt and evolve in a bid to survive the current coronavirus crisis. The Morning Advertiser visited the Rose & Crown in Cuckfield, West Sussex, to find out how new licensee James Clark has turned his once-thriving local into a real...

Unite joins calls to cancel pub rent

18-May-2020 By Stuart Stone

Unite the union has joined calls for the cancellation of rent on closed pubs as it seeks to prevent mass closures and jobs losses as a consequence of the Covid-19 emergency.

#Unitedwestand

Hall & Woodhouse extends rent cancellation

07-May-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Dorset brewer and pub operator Hall & Woodhouse will extend its cancellation period of all rent and service charges as well as suspending loan repayments until Saturday 27 June for its tenants.

#UnitedWeStand

68% of pubs need furlough beyond June to survive

07-May-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

More than two thirds of pub bosses asked in a snapshot poll of hospitality industry leaders have said furlough will need to be in place for longer to ensure the sector’s survival.

#UnitedWeStand

Weak consumer confidence post-lockdown ‘big concern’ for pubs

07-May-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

More than half of hospitality bosses quizzed in a snapshot poll have said a drop in consumer confidence post-lockdown would be one of the biggest impacts on maintaining a profitable business.

#unitedwestand

10% sales drop is all most reopened pubs can handle

07-May-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

The majority of pubs will be able to handle a maximum of just a 10% drop in sales to remain profitable and continue trading long-term, data from an exclusive snapshot poll of industry leaders has revealed.

#Unitedwestand

Just one in three pub operators predict all their sites will reopen

06-May-2020 By Stuart Stone

The latest CGA Business Confidence Survey has revealed that just 36% of hospitality business leaders are predicting life after lockdown for all of their venues once Covid-19 trading restrictions are lifted.

#Unitedwestand

Keeping the Cott on the landscape

01-May-2020 By Ed Bedington

An award-winning operator has seen his year of success derailed because of the coronavirus crisis lockdown but is determined to keep his pub at the heart of its community.

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Everards cancels April and May rent payments

29-Apr-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Historic pub company and brewery Everards has cancelled its business owner rent payments for April and May.

Pub companies must share the pain

28-Apr-2020 By Martin Roper

Multiple operator Martin Roper has found himself caught between four different landlords in the debate on pub rents.

#Unitedwestand

‘Some people need pub interaction and that’s been taken away’

28-Apr-2020 By Stuart Stone

Yorkshire publican Calvin Dow explains how he’s helped regulars gather in a ‘virtual taproom’, kept tabs on elderly locals, and even donated a toilet roll or two during Covid-19 shutdown.

Wellington Pub Company ‘offering 3 months’ rent free as appropriate’

28-Apr-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Wellington Pub Company has now stated it will now give its tenants a three-month, rent-free period as part of discussions with individual licensees, where deemed appropriate.

#Unitedwestand

Diary of an (empty) pub landlord – a month in Covid-19 lockdown

27-Apr-2020 By Piers Baker

Piers Baker, owner and manager of the Sun Inn in Dedham on Essex/Suffolk border for more than 17 years, details his experience of running a pub since the Government ordered shutdown on 20 March.