Other operators

Elland Brewery 1872 Porter wins CAMRA Winter Beer of Britain

25-Jan-2013 By Gurjit Degun

West Yorkshire-based Elland Brewery’s 1872 Porter has been crowned Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2013 by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Ex-WaverleyTBS boss predicts more consolidation in wholesale drinks market

24-Jan-2013

The former chief executive of failed drinks wholesaler WaverleyTBS has predicted more consolidation in the wholesale market in 2013, with a number of regional players set to "drop out".

The luck (or cheek) of the Irish...?

23-Jan-2013

Snifter has always assumed that ‘drink-driving’ was just one of those laws which couldn’t be touched - but try telling that to his friends in Ireland.

Pubs see slow trading and delayed deliveries during snow

23-Jan-2013 By Gurjit Degun & Adam Pescod

Snowfall throughout the country resulted in a dramatic drop in trade for some operators, and left pubs waiting days for deliveries.

The Big Interview: Brenhan Magee, Broadway Bar & Grill

22-Jan-2013 By Jessica Harvey

Brenhan Magee is known for hosting hedonistic nights in WC1. But now he has given west London’s Fulham Road a touch of his signature style — this time in the form of a bar, restaurant and private members’ club with roof terraces.

Phene Arms, Chelsea, saved from closure

22-Jan-2013 By Gurjit Degun

An historic pub in Chelsea, west London, has been saved from closure by the Planning Inspectorate after the owner sought planning permission to turn the site into housing.

First Pub is the Hub heritage project launched

22-Jan-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Midsomer Murders and Game of Thrones actor, Owen Teale, launched the first pub heritage project at the Prince of Wales, Kenfig near Bridgend for his childhood friend and current landlord, Gareth Maund.

National Pubwatch conference will unveil exclusive research on the effectiveness of pubwatches

21-Jan-2013

The annual conference for National Pubwatch will see the unveiling of exclusive research showing the full impact that pubwatches have on the local area.

Pub cleaner retires after 41 years

18-Jan-2013 By Gurjit Degun

Sheila Nicholson, cleaner at the Red Lion in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, has polished the pub’s bar for the last time, retiring after 41 years.

Pesto eyes 10 more sites after funding boost

18-Jan-2013 By M&C Report

Lord Peter Daresbury, the former head of pubs group Greenalls and ex-La Tasca finance director Martin Evans, have taken minor equity stakes in and joined the board of Pesto, the north west-based pub and restaurant chain owned by La Tasca founder Neil...

Pub consultant backs larger penalty fines for underage sales

18-Jan-2013 By Adam Pescod

A pub trade consultant believes the problem of underage drinking in the UK could be solved by instant fines of up to £700 for bar staff who serve under-18s.

Exclusive: BBPA launches judicial review against Cambridge planning policy for pubs

17-Jan-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) will be taking Cambridge City Council’s supplementary planning policy for pubs to a judicial review.

Hydes agrees £9.5m refinancing deal

17-Jan-2013 By John Harrington

Hydes, the Manchester brewer and pub operator, has agreed a new £9.5m refinancing deal and secured more favourable terms as part of a financial restructure that saw the company exit its ‘cap and collar’ hedging arrangement.

Pubs provide hub for commuters following Vauxhall helicopter crash

16-Jan-2013 By Adam Pescod

Pubs in Vauxhall have had stranded commuters through their doors following this morning’s helicopter crash which has so far seen two people killed and others injured.

Camerons on camera

11-Jan-2013

It all got a bit “‘Allo Vera!” down at Camerons over the festive period as filming for the popular ITV drama Vera took place at the brewery across three consecutive days.

Former BII Licensee of the Year set for "fresh challenge" after leaving his Berkshire pub

10-Jan-2013 By Adam Pescod

Former BII Licensee of the Year Phil Davison said it was time for a fresh challenge after leaving the pub he has run for more than 16 years.

Cumbria PCC says pubs serving underage drinkers should face 72-hour closure "shock tactic"

10-Jan-2013 By Adam Pescod

Pubs and clubs caught serving alcohol to underage drinkers should automatically be closed for 72 hours upon first offence as a “shock tactic”.

Who's for a game of Bagatelle?

09-Jan-2013

On a recent retail inspection of a number of pubs within the newly-Cerberus-backed Admiral Taverns estate, Snifter was introduced to the traditional pub game, Bagatelle at the Olde Cottage Inn in Chester.

Pub dedicates room to much-loved pooch

08-Jan-2013

Snifter’s heart was warmed this week upon hearing that a pub had dedicated a room to the memory of a dog who was loved by the local community.

PM David Cameron faces a revolt over the pubco-tenant relationship

07-Jan-2013 By Michelle Perrett

PM  David Cameron faces a Commons revolt this week over his failure to help Britain’s struggling pubs, The Sunday Mirror has reported.

Star Pubs & Bars helps licensees register for Machine Games Duty

07-Jan-2013 By Adam Pescod

Star Pubs & Bars is helping its lessees register for the new Machine Games Duty (MGD) with the implementation date only days away.

HMRC urges licensees to prepare for PAYE system shake-up

07-Jan-2013 By Adam Pescod

Licensees are being urged by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to prepare for major changes to the PAYE system which come into effect in three months’ time.

US investment firm acquires pub group Admiral Taverns for c£200m

04-Jan-2013 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Cerberus Capital Management, one of the world’s leading private investment firms, has acquired Admiral Taverns, the c1,100-strong tenanted pub company, from Lloyds Banking Group, in a deal believed to be valued at around £200m.

LTC offers support to struggling licensees following death of Wiltshire publican

03-Jan-2013 By Adam Pescod

The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) has urged struggling licensees to seek help on matters such as debt following the death of Wiltshire pub landlord Malcolm Levesconte.

Pub operators push ahead with January food and drink promotions

03-Jan-2013 By Adam Pescod

Pub operators are pushing ahead with food and drink discounts throughout January as they look to attract customers into their sites during the post-Christmas period.

Pub loses out on £4k after New Year's Eve flooding

02-Jan-2013 By Gurjit Degun

A pub lost out on £4,000 on New Year's Eve after having to close because a local water system broke down several times over the festive period.

Hook Norton to reopen its first managed pub under tenancy

02-Jan-2013 By Mark Wingett

Hook Norton, the Oxfordshire brewer and pub operator, is set to reopen its first managed site, the Coach & Horses in the centre of Banbury, under tenancy, after reportedly terminating a management agreement with Flagstone Inns.

And the most popular song of 2012 was...

21-Dec-2012

Snifter was informed today, much to his disappointment, that Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘Call Me Maybe’ was the top-played song across many of the nation’s jukeboxes in 2012.

Star Pubs & Bars in Nescafe coffee link up

21-Dec-2012 By Mark Wingett

Star Pubs & Bars, the Heineken-owned lease operator formerly known as Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company, has partnered with Nescafe to offer its lessees a unique coffee support programme following successful trials in 135 pubs which have seen sales...

FLVA president Nigel Williams meets Nick Clegg to discuss pubco-tenant issue

21-Dec-2012 By Adam Pescod

President of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) Nigel Williams met deputy minister Nick Clegg last week to discuss pubco-tenant self-regulation.

New app allows pub customers to immediately report crime

21-Dec-2012 By Gurjit Degun

A new app has been launched to allow victims of theft to report a crime, and licensees with CCTV will be immediately notified if the crime took place in their venue.

Beds & Bars CEO Keith Knowles appointed as chairman of the Perceptions Group

20-Dec-2012 By Adam Pescod

Bed & Bars chief executive Keith Knowles has been named the first chairman of the Perceptions Group, which is aiming to raise the profile of British pubs as a viable career opportunity.

Cock Tavern licensee to appeal court ruling over barrelage discount

20-Dec-2012 By Adam Pescod

A London licensee is “disgusted and gutted” after a court ruled that she would not be repaid for the barrelage discount which was withdrawn by her landlord.

UK's oldest clubber puts Snifter to shame

20-Dec-2012

Snifter thought he was getting a bit too old for the nightclub scene, but try telling that to the “UK’s oldest clubber” who celebrated his 90th birthday at Batchwood Hall nightclub in St Albans on Saturday 8 December.

Villagers in Essex buy their local pub from Admiral Taverns

18-Dec-2012 By Adam Pescod

Residents of a village in Essex have bought their local pub from Admiral Taverns after raising £150,000 through a share subscription to fund the purchase.

BBPA remains "absolutely committed" to pubs following restructure

18-Dec-2012 By Adam Pescod

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) is still “absolutely committed” to pubs after announcing plans for a restructure, chief executive Brigid Simmonds has told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser.

Pub offers free electric charging point

18-Dec-2012 By Gurjit Degun

The Knife and Cleaver in Bedfordshire has unveiled a new electric car and motability charging station, claiming to be one of the first in the region to offer the service.

Save The Pub Group Meeting: Full Audio Recording Part 2

14-Dec-2012

This is part 2 of the audio recording of last week's All-Party Parliamentary Save The Pub Group Meeting.

Save the Pub Group Meeting: Full Audio Recording

14-Dec-2012

The Publican's Morning Advertiser's story on last week's All-Party Parliamentary Save The Pub Group meeting has evoked strong feelings among a number of licensees. Today, we publish a full audio recording of the meeting as a service to...

BBPA announces restructure – Rawlings and King leaving

13-Dec-2012 By Lesley Foottit

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) is restructuring with two long-serving employees leaving at the end of this year.

ALMR operations manager of the year award winners announced

13-Dec-2012

Donny McIntyre of Spirit Pub Company and Heike Funke of Punch Taverns are this year’s Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers’ (ALMR) Area Manager and Business Development Manager of the Year.

New chief gives BII a sporting chance

13-Dec-2012

It seems new BII (British Institute of Innkeeping) chief exec Tim Hulme is something of a dark horse.

CAMRA beer duty rally: MPs and speakers give their views on the beer duty escalator

12-Dec-2012 By The PMA Team

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) mass lobby saw a range of speakers rally against the beer duty escalator.

CAMRA beer duty rally: Escalator is "crippling the industry" says MP Andrew Griffiths

12-Dec-2012 By Gurjit Degun

The rally to scrap the beer duty escalator has kicked off with pro-pubs MP Andrew Griffiths saying that the measure is “crippling the industry”.

CAMRA stats show regular pub visitors down 3 million since beer duty escalator introduced

12-Dec-2012 By Adam Pescod

The number of regular pub goers in the UK has declined by 3 million people since the beer duty escalator was introduced in 2008, according to new figures from the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA).

Would you Adam and Eve it? Two million pints, not out

12-Dec-2012

A Cheltenham landlady has decided to call last orders on her career at the ripe old age of 80, reliably informing Snifter that she is probably Britain’s oldest 'working' landlady.

Yellowhammer Bars cuts estate to 17 sites

12-Dec-2012 By Mark Wingett

Yellowhammer Bars, which is run by Volante Management, has undergone a strategic review that has seen its late-night venue estate cut to 17 sites.

Town and Country Inns hit by restructuring costs

11-Dec-2012 By M&C Report

Town & Country Inns, the bar business led by entrepreneur Keith Williams, has reported a loss in the year to 31 May after incurring exceptional costs in relation to a “significant restructuring”.

Cosy Club to open fifth site in Cardiff

11-Dec-2012 By John Harrington

Loungers, the fast-growing café/bar-restaurant group backed by private equity firm Piper, has opened a fifth site under its Cosy Club brand in Cardiff, its biggest to date and 28th overall.

Minimum pricing won’t make alcohol expensive

11-Dec-2012 By Mark Daniels

So I seem to have spent much of the last ten days fending off questions from customers about just what the Minimum Price legislation would mean to them. It’s amusing to watch how a little bit of pub maths and a lot of hyperbole can make somebody’s perception...