British Gas sends shocking £14k bill to pub
25-Aug-2010
Another licensee was shocked to receive a huge electricity bill after British Gas claimed he had been underpaying for four years. Tim Gittins...
25-Aug-2010 By John Harrington
The BII is holding a "strategy day" at the end of September to discuss its future direction after four senior members of staff lost their jobs.
Pub Bitch: Drawing in the punters
23-Aug-2010
Drawing in the punters Hats off, indeed everything off, to a Glasgow pub that has come up with a novel way of driving trade. The Flying Duck (try...
Hamish Champ: Confused logic?
23-Aug-2010 By Hamish Champ
There I was, thinking that the corporate side of the pub trade had dried up completely, and then along comes a private equity firm with an eye on...
23-Aug-2010 By Lesley Foottit
A Somerset pub enjoyed a 50% increase in profits last week after inviting Kylie Minogue for a one-off gig. Rapper of the moment Tinie Tempah, Eliza...
23-Aug-2010 By Mark Stretton, M&C Report
Stonegate Pub Company will be chaired by industry veteran Ian Payne — and industry consolidation is on the cards, says Mark Stretton.
23-Aug-2010 By John Harrington
Portsmouth licensees are being asked to give £50 to sponsor a child to complete an alcohol awareness award. The BIIAB award, for 13-16 year-olds,...
23-Aug-2010 By Ewan Turney
Pubs and shops in County Durham have been urged to adopt a Challenge-25 policy by the council. The council's Trading Standards team noted a "marked...
For TDR the price was right
22-Aug-2010 By Hamish Champ
Just as I went into print last week musing on the length of time it appeared to be taking Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) to sell the package of...
20-Aug-2010 By The PMA Team
One of Northumberland's oldest pubs has been re-opened by expanding north-east multiple operator, Principle Leisure Group (PLG).
20-Aug-2010 By The PMA Team
Controversial Scottish brewer BrewDog is looking for a pub site in Edinburgh after opening its first pub in Aberdeen. Managing director James Watt...
Win your very own cement mixing truck!
20-Aug-2010 By Hamish Champ
Bar-goers have the chance to win a bizarre - though potentially useful - prize next week: a cement mixer truck in the shape of a bottle of well-known...
20-Aug-2010 By Lesley Foottit
One university has banned pubs and bars from advertising their drinks promotions at this year's freshers' fair. Bath University Student Union has...
20-Aug-2010 By John Harrington
The BII's north eastern division has joined up with a regional health body to campaign for minimum pricing — 90% of local licensees back the move.
19-Aug-2010 By The PMA Team
All the latest gossip and rumour from the City.
19-Aug-2010 By Ewan Turney
The Home Office is hosting consultations as part of its plan to overhaul licensing — but is the Government in listening mood, asks Ewan Turney.
19-Aug-2010 By Ewan Turney
Despite the Government giving the impression that Licensing Act reforms are open to debate, the changes seem to be decided, says Ewan Turney.
19-Aug-2010 By Jo Bruce
It's not just the cooking of his chips that chef Heston Blumenthal likes to do by the triple — he has just opened his third outlet in Bray.
BBPA rejects GMB rent collusion claims
19-Aug-2010 By Hamish Champ
Claims by trade union GMB that the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has effectively stitched up the rent assessment process for tied tenants...
'Cops warn landlord over Nazi costume'
19-Aug-2010 By James Wilmore
A pub landlord who dressed as an 'Allo 'Allo-style Nazi was threatened with arrest. Jamie Hardie's nostalgia night costume, which included a...
19-Aug-2010 By John Harrington
A licensee has secured a £345 rebate on his premises licence fee — after successfully appealing against his business rates. Enterprise lessee...
18-Aug-2010 By David Elliott
We should all be concerned with Home Secretary Theresa May's proposed licensing reforms, says David Elliott.
18-Aug-2010 By Gemma McKenna
Northern managed operator Amber Taverns, headed by former Honeycombe Leisure directors, has acquired two pubs in the past month.
Paul Chase: 'Doctors should stick to writing medical prescriptions, not social ones'
18-Aug-2010
This was the belief that local anti-alcohol campaign groups could be the fulcrum of influence locally and nationally. So it should come as no...
Public shows support for mandatory drinks labelling
18-Aug-2010 By James Wilmore
The Department of Health (DoH) looks set to introduce a mandatory labelling system for alcoholic drinks after a survey revealed strong public support...
'Ear-bite pub lout jailed'
18-Aug-2010 By James Wilmore
A thug who bit off a stranger's ear after being refused a drink in a pub where he was banned was jailed for 20 months. Joiner Ryan Buchanan, 30, flew...
Licensee's shock at £200,000 water bill
18-Aug-2010 By Matt Eley Matt
A licensee almost fainted with shock when she received a water bill for nearly £200,000 - 150 times the usual rate. Margaret Barrett, who owns the...
18-Aug-2010 By John Harrington
Ken Livingstone attacked pubcos as he revealed plans for a multi-million pound loans scheme for London tenants to buy their pubs if he is re-elected...
18-Aug-2010 By Ewan Turney
The pub is the best place outside the home for conversation, according to a new survey by Courage Beer. 50% of those quizzed have made new friends...
Alcohol devolution move gets short shrift
17-Aug-2010 By Matt Eley Matt
A bid to have licensing powers devolved to Wales has been slapped by down by the secretary of state. Last week Welsh Assembly health minister Edwina...
Pubs and 'The Power' in darts world record bid
17-Aug-2010 By Matt Eley Matt
Pubs across the country are being encouraged to team-up with darts legend Phil 'The Power' Taylor to set a new world record. Charity for the deaf...
17-Aug-2010 By Lesley Foottit
Pubs will no longer be able to clamp or tow the cars of non-customers under new legislation to be introduced at the end of the year. Wheel clamping...
17-Aug-2010 By Peter Coulson
Hundreds will miss the opportunity to object to the Alcohol Consultation, which fails to meet minimum Government standards, says Peter Coulson.
16-Aug-2010 By The PMA Team and Martyn Leek, M&C Report
A restaurant chain founded by French chef Raymond Blanc is adapting its offer for the pub sector under the tagline White Brasserie Company.
YouTube video for charity pub single
16-Aug-2010 By Lesley Foottit
A video for the charity single to help save pubs can now be seen on YouTube — "What can we do now (save the pub)" was released in June.
Orchid invests in late-night sector
16-Aug-2010 By The PMA Team
Managed operator Orchid is mid-way through a £1.5m investment programme at some of the late-night venues it runs within the Premium Bars and...
When is the right time to roll out your brand and try new locations?
16-Aug-2010
Does the old adage 'build it and they will come', ever prove right? We're currently working with a number of customers who believe that now is the...
On the road for the Licensed Trade Charity
16-Aug-2010 By Hamish Champ
How hard can it be, spending a day riding a motorbike around the countryside learning about what the Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) does and how it...
Hamish Champ: To eat or to drink? Who cares so long as it's in a decent pub
16-Aug-2010 By Hamish Champ
I was on holiday with my 10 year-old son last week, blissfully ignorant as to the goings on in the pub trade. OK, some readers might observe this is...
Leading pub operators see summer boom
16-Aug-2010 By Hamish Champ
Leading pub and restaurant chains appear to be benefitting from UK consumers holidaying at home rather than abroad, new figures suggest. According to...
Brasserie Bar Co plans new pub-based concept
16-Aug-2010 By Hamish Champ
Brasserie Bar Company, an outfit run by the former management team behind Loch Fyne Restaurant Group, is planning to roll out a new pub-based...
16-Aug-2010 By Lesley Foottit
Marston's Pub Company's licensee training scheme has won recognition from the BIIAB Good Practice Recognition Scheme. The five-module scheme, called...
16-Aug-2010 By Ewan Turney
The UK's large managed pubs and restaurants are enjoying a good summer's trade with sales up in July. The Coffer Peach Business Tracker, which...
Portsmouth pubs urged to ditch shots
13-Aug-2010 By Lesley Foottit
Police are urging Portsmouth bars to stop selling shots after a spate of violence in the area.
12-Aug-2010 By The PMA Team
All the latest gossip and rumour from the City.
Cafes should open later as 'alternative to pubs', says report
12-Aug-2010
A leading trade figure has hit out at plans to encourage cafes and shops to open later in Edinburgh, as an "alternative to pubs". An Edinburgh City...
12-Aug-2010 By John Harrington and Ewan Turney
An influential pro-pub MP is to write to the Home Office asking for the short consultation into the planned overhaul of licensing to be extended....
Ken Livingstone: I'll save music pubs
12-Aug-2010 By John Harrington
Ken Livingstone has revealed a plan to save live music in pubs if he becomes London mayor again. Protecting venues through planning law, creating a...
12-Aug-2010 By Phil Mellows
Phil Mellows says the Government is going about the UK's drinking problem the wrong way and we need to tackle the conditions in which people live.
11-Aug-2010 By Nigel Anstead
Licensee Nigel Anstead describes how he has raised more than £22,000 for charity so far this year and how his pub has reaped the rewards.
