Punch Pubs & Co

Punch-Heineken deal to be investigated by CMA

16-Feb-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially launched an investigation into Heineken’s proposed acquisition of 1,900 Punch pubs.

Heineken issues full assurances to Punch tenants

10-Feb-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Heineken has made further assurances to Punch tenants that there are no plans to force them to buy solely Heineken products.

Punch tenants won’t be forced to buy only Heineken products

09-Feb-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Star Pubs & Bars managing director Lawson Mountstevens has assured current Punch tenants they will not be forced to buy solely Heineken products.

Heineken's Punch takeover not a blanket MRO trigger

08-Feb-2017 By Liam Coleman

Heineken’s proposed deal to buy 1,900 Punch pubs will not act as an immediate blanket trigger for all the tenants to be able to request the market-rent-only (MRO) option, according to a letter from the pubs code adjudicator's (PCA) office.

Heineken urged by CAMRA for assurance on Punch deal

08-Feb-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has called on pub giant Heineken for assurances on the affect the takeover of 1,900 Punch pubs would have on its members.

Route clear for Heineken's Punch pubs takeover

01-Feb-2017 By Liam Coleman

Heineken is now the only remaining bidder for a portfolio of 1,900 Punch pubs after rival bidder Emerald Investment confirmed that it would not pursue its bid further.

Mystery surrounds identity of blogger opposed to Heineken/Punch Taverns takeover

31-Jan-2017 By Helen Gilbert

The industry has raised questions over the identity of a person behind a blog that is campaigning against Heineken’s proposed takeover of Punch Taverns. 

Punch pumps funds into Liverpool pubs

27-Jan-2017 By Liam Coleman

Punch has announced plans to capitalise on an "exciting time for the city" of Liverpool by investing £450,000 in two of its city centre pubs.

Paul Pavli: Are you giving ‘heartfelt hospitality’ to customers?

24-Jan-2017 By Paul Pavli

Punch Mercury Division managing director Paul Pavli advises operators on how to give 'heartfelt hospitality' to their customers.

Punch tenants demand clarification on Heineken deal

23-Jan-2017 By Michelle Perrett

The Punch Tenant Network (PTN), the campaign group representing Punch licensees, has called on the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) to clarify the position if Heineken’s bid for the pub company is successful.

Date set for shareholder vote on Heineken bid

18-Jan-2017 By Sara Hussein

Punch shareholders will meet next month to vote on the proposed takeover bid by Heineken.

Punch Takeover

‘Don’t be fooled’: SLTA slams Heineken’s ‘dismissing concerns’ on Punch bid

12-Jan-2017 By Sara Hussein

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) claimed Heineken was trying to “dismiss concerns” regarding the ongoing bid between the Dutch company and Punch Taverns. 

Punch Taverns

‘We can’t be replaced’: Brighton’s ‘only alternative pub’ given new five-year lease

10-Jan-2017 By Sara Hussein

Punch Taverns has agreed to give Brighton’s “only alternative” site a new five-year lease after fears that the venue could have been converted into part of a pub chain. 

Punch Takeover

Heineken hits back at SLTA’s Punch deal concerns

09-Jan-2017 By Sara Hussein

Heineken has played down Scottish industry fears it would become a pub company “monster” north of the border.

2017 Predictions

2017 Predictions: Garrood says with change comes opportunity

19-Dec-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Punch CEO Duncan Garrood has said that following the pubs code and Brexit paving the way for change in 2016, next year will also bring change and opportunity.

Punch takeover

‘Monster-tie’ Heineken/Punch deal could threaten tenants, industry warns

15-Dec-2016 By Helen Gilbert

Industry figures have expressed ‘serious concern’ over Heineken’s bid to acquire almost 2,000 Punch Taverns pubs.

Punch takeover

Sale of 1,900 Punch pubs to Heineken moves one step closer

15-Dec-2016 By Helen Gilbert

Heineken has moved one step closer to acquiring the lions share of Punch Taverns' pub estate, after three of the pubco’s top shareholders gave their support. 

Punch

Heineken in "takeover battle" for Punch

14-Dec-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Heineken is reported to have launched a bid to take control of Punch.

Retirement

Punch’s commercial director John Healy to retire next year

13-Dec-2016 By Helen Gilbert

Punch’s commercial director is to step down next year after 30 years with the business.

PUNCH

Punch: 'no intention' to close popular alternative pub

07-Dec-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Punch has denied claims it plans to close Brighton's 'only alternative pub'.

Local MP backs new Punch pub development

30-Nov-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Malton MP, Kevin Hollinrake, joined staff and regulars at the Royal Oak pub to celebrate its £180,000 makeover by Punch.

Punch sees record numbers attend UK roadshows

16-Nov-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Punch has seen a record number of pubs – 1,765 – attend its eight roadshows this year. 

Results

Garrood defends negative impact on Punch’s letting activity

10-Nov-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Punch CEO Duncan Garrood has defended the negative impact on the pubco’s letting activity following the release of its figures for the first half of the financial year.

MRO

40 Punch licensees request MRO statistics

08-Nov-2016 By James Wallin, MCA

Punch has revealed 40 licensees have asked what the difference in costs would be if they decided to take the market rent-only option (MRO) since the pubs code came into force in July.

PGB Audit

Pub Governing Body: BDM training has improved

18-Oct-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Business development manager (BDM) training has improved, according to the annual audit by the Pub Governing Body (PGB).

Punch

Punch invests £3m to support Scotland’s ‘community locals’

18-Oct-2016 By Sara Hussein

Pub operator Punch has splashed £3m into refurbishing five sites across Scotland in a bid to support community locals. 

pubco

Punch roadshow 'best ever' in Edinburgh

13-Oct-2016 By James Evison

Punch has claimed an 'astounding' footfall rate at six of its nationwide roadshows.

Pubs code

Duncan Garrood: how Punch is helping licensees with the pubs code

10-Oct-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Pubco Punch has been touring the country with roadshows offering its licensees resources, offers and support for their businesses along with seminars on the pubs code.

Good Beer Guide 2017

Almost 200 Punch pubs in Good Beer Guide

27-Sep-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Almost 200 Punch pubs have featured in the Campaign for Real Ale’s Good Beer Guide 2017, which features 4,500 pubs nationwide.

Opinion

Paul Pavli: "Hit a sticky patch? Produce a new business plan"

27-Sep-2016 By Paul Pavli

One thing that never changes in the British pub market is the constant changes. Not only are there the usual internal industry challenges, from changing legislation to mergers and acquisitions, but influential external factors, from the rise of casual-dining...

Pubcos

Punch strategy chief to quit role

22-Sep-2016 By James Evison

Punch's chief strategy officer, Neil Griffiths is standing down from his role and will leave in November 2016.

Christmas

Punch launches personalised POS for Christmas

07-Sep-2016 By James Evison

Punch has launched its Christmas catalogue of point of sale (POS) material for its pubs.

Punch

Punch reports positive results

01-Sep-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Punch has released its figures for the 52-week financial year, which show positive growth, and hopes to issue its full year results for the same timeframe on 8 November this year.

Darts

Pub darts team captain beats world champion

30-Aug-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

The captain of a pub darts team has beaten the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Champion in a darts event, organised by Punch.

Investment

Punch invests £1.2m into north-east pubs

22-Aug-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Pubco Punch has revealed it has invested more than £1.2m into pubs in the Whitby and Scarborough area since August 2015.

The Craft Beer Co

Craft Beer Co secures another London site

21-Aug-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

London-based pubco the Craft Beer Co has secured a new site in the city’s Limehouse.

Pubcos

Punch: Free pint promotion returns

15-Aug-2016 By James Evison

Punch has announced the return of its free pint promotion in partnership with Heineken. 

My Pub: The Three Tuns, Sheffield

09-Aug-2016 By Liam Coleman

The unique size and shape of the Three Tuns is both a blessing and a curse. The manager of the Sheffield pub, Kate Major, explains how its iconic triangular shape draws customers in, but how it also presents its own challenges for the closely-knit team.

Duncan Garrood

Punch to sell 400 pubs for 'capital investments'

19-Jul-2016 By Oli Gross

Punch expects to sell 400 pubs over the next four years, with sites likely to be sold ‘pub by pub’, the pubco’s chief executive Duncan Garrood has told The Morning Advertiser.

Pictures

Pub openings - June 2016

28-Jun-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

The Publican's Morning Advertiser takes a look at pubs that were opened or refurbished in June 2016.

Technology

Punch and Sky extend Wi-Fi deal

28-Jun-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Pubco Punch has extended its agreement with TV giant Sky to allow of its pubs in the UK to offer customers free Wi-Fi from the Cloud.

Epic pubs to open new pub with rooms

20-Jun-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Bedfordshire-based pub company Epic Pubs is to open its fourth pub, in Rutland, after an extensive refurbishment.

Pubcos

Harry Ramsden's and Punch team up for pub partnership

20-May-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

The pubco and restaurant have joined forces to reopen a pub with the benefits of Harry Ramsden's reputation for fish and chips.

Pubcos

Punch: Tenants should go to trade bodies for MRO advice - not us

28-Apr-2016 By Emily Sutherland

Punch has urged tenants not to turn to their Punch Development Managers (PDMs) for advice on the pubs code and instead consult independent trade bodies like the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR)...

Business

NewRiver Retail deal helps Punch drive profits across its estate

20-Apr-2016 By Emily Sutherland

Punch's £53.5m disposal of 158 pubs to NewRiver Retail has helped to drive up profits across its estate, chief executive Duncan Garrood has said.

Comment

Punch director: Let businesses shine by empowering staff

19-Apr-2016 By Paul Pavli

I was fortunate enough to enjoy a fantastic customer service experience recently. In fact it was so good, I can’t stop telling everyone about it and now I’m about to tell you too… 

Comment: Will good things come to those who wait?

05-Apr-2016 By Mike Berry

For tied tenants and their campaigners, the wait for reform and a pub statutory code of practice has been a lengthy and frequently frustrating one.

Advice

How to deal with the National Living Wage

29-Mar-2016 By Mike Berry

Comment and advice from licensees, multiple operators and pubcos on how best to deal with the National Living Wage.

Awards

Punch: Durham publicans win north-east award

24-Mar-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Punch licensees Alan Bryan and Nicola Kay of the Avenue Inn, Durham, have been recognised as Publican of the Year for the North East and Cumbria region.

Punch

Punch licensee gets a visit from Al Murray's 'The Pub Landlord'

09-Feb-2016 By James Evison

A Punch licensee received a visit from the 'pub landlord', Al Murray.