Punch Pubs & Co

PGB report

Pubco audit: Concerns over BDM training and new agreement waivers

07-Dec-2015 By Mike Berry

There is still room for improvement in the training of business development managers (BDMs) by pubcos as less than two thirds are properly qualified, according to the annual compliance report by the Pub Governing Body (PGB).

'Huge relief' for Punch tenant mistakenly told pub would become managed site

25-Nov-2015 By Emily Sutherland

A Punch tenant has spoken of his ‘huge relief’ after the pub company reversed a controversial decision to take his pub back as a managed house.

Punch's Slee: "Both sides must put history and emotion behind them and work together"

18-Nov-2015 By Andy Slee

Punch representative Andy Slee gives his reflections on the debate over the pubs code legislation that took place at the Tenanted Pub Company Summit.

News analysis

Punch's plans for tenants: Co-ops, incentives...and fish

17-Nov-2015 By Oli Gross

Punch Taverns has revealed how it intends to change and grow under its recently-appointed chief executive Duncan Garrood - but what it will mean for tenants?

Legislation

Pubs code: Trade urged to forget past battles and work together

17-Nov-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Industry leaders have issued fresh pleas for both sides of the pub code debate to lick their wounds, forget past battles and join together to ensure the smooth implementation of the legislation and a brighter future for an industry facing sizable challenges. 

Punch unveils new operating format

12-Nov-2015 By James Wallin, MC Allegra FS

Punch Taverns has revealed details of its new operating models including a turnover based agreement, its first managed house and commercial free-of-tie arrangements as well as the potential to franchise out some of its concepts.

Interview

Punch boss: I hope MRO will encourage investment

02-Nov-2015 By Ed Bedington

Ed Bedington finds out why the new man in charge of Punch Taverns is rolling with the punches

'Worlds biggest' team darts tournament won by Durham pub

27-Oct-2015 By Oli Gross

The 'biggest darts team competition in the world' concluded this weekend with Durham pub The Ash Tree claiming the coveted title.

Punch director: My frustration with pub food

26-Oct-2015 By James Evison

I have a couple of frustrations when it comes to pub food, by which I mean mainstream not the top end gastro-pubs.

NewRiver set to complete first pub development by December

21-Oct-2015 By MC Allegra FS

NewRiver Retail has now submitted 48 planning applications to develop surplus land across its pub estate.

Punch: 'Mr Garrood needs to walk 100 miles in the shoes of one of his tied tenants'

05-Oct-2015 By Simon Clarke

Leading pubco reform campaigner Simon Clarke responds to recent comments made by Punch Taverns' chief executive Duncan Garrood in the PMA about the pubs code and market-rent only option.

Punch sell-off: 'Maybe it’s time to draw a line under past issues'

01-Oct-2015 By Ed Bedington

It’s good to see some positive words coming from new Punch boss Duncan Garrood, and a commitment to a constructive and brighter future for the sector.

Punch delivers MRO warning

01-Oct-2015 By James Wallin

CEO points to concern over investments.

Punch Taverns

Punch sell-off: closure fears eased

28-Sep-2015 By Oli Gross

Punch Taverns has confirmed plans to sell 400 pubs in the next few years as part of a long-standing business plan, but has allayed fears of closures which were mistakenly reported in the national press.

Car park sale

NewRiver licensee faces fierce opposition to Co-op store

21-Sep-2015 By Oli Gross

A licensee who wants to save his pub by selling part of the car park is facing fierce opposition from Dudley councillors and residents.

Punch Taverns

Punch tweaks management team before future strategy unveiled

16-Sep-2015 By M&C Allegra

Punch Taverns has further tweaked its management team, as it gears up to unveil its future strategy in November.

Cask Ale Week

Punch offers free pints again for Cask Ale Week

15-Sep-2015 By James Evison

Punch Taverns is supporting Cask Ale Week by running a free pint promotion between Thursday 24 September and Sunday 4 October 2015.

Punch

Punch tenant calls for more pubco support

14-Sep-2015 By Emily Sutherland

A Punch Taverns tenant has urged pub companies to provide more support after falling behind with rent payments and being asked to leave her pub after seven years.

NewRiver deal

Punch sell-off: Discarded Liverpool pub approved ACV

08-Sep-2015 By Oli Gross

A Liverpool pub discarded by Punch Taverns in its sell-off to NewRiver Retail has reacted swiftly to ensure the pub is protected as an Asset of Community Value.

City news

Punch agrees sale of Matthew Clark stake to Conviviality

08-Sep-2015 By Ruth Williams, MC Allegra FS

Punch Taverns has agreed to sell its 50% shareholding in drinks supplier Matthew Clark to Conviviality Brands, the Bargain Booze operator, for £100.7m.

Conference

Speakers revealed for Tenanted Pub Company Summit

07-Sep-2015 By M&C Allegra Foodservice

A high-class line up of speakers have been revealed for the highly anticipated Tenanted Pub Company Summit, hosted by the PMA's sister title M&C Allegra.

City news

Punch sell-off: NewRiver seeks pub operator to manage sites

07-Sep-2015 By James Wallin

Real Estate Investment Trust wants an experience pub operator to manage its portfolio of pubs.

Punch sell-off

Furious Punch hosts slam sale of pubs to NewRiver

04-Sep-2015 By Oli Gross

Outraged licensees have slammed the unexpected sale of 158 Punch Taverns pubs amid uncertainty and fears of closures following the £53.5m deal.

Punch sell-off: Protest planned outside Liverpool's Roscoe Head

03-Sep-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Campaigners are planning a protest outside Liverpool’s the Roscoe Head, one of the 158 pubs sold by Punch Taverns to NewRiver Retail.

Knockout blow for 158 Punch pub licensees

02-Sep-2015 By Ed Bedington

Interestingly enough, following on from my last piece on paranoia and the pub trade, Punch seemed determined to underline this by selling off a lot of pubs that it has been suggested would have been moving down the market rent-only option (MRO) route.

Pubs Advisory

Call for review of pubs code after Punch sell-off raises suspicions

27-Aug-2015 By Oli Gross

The Pubs Advisory Service has called on the Government to review the pubs code in reaction to Punch Taverns' sale of 158 pubs to New River Retail.

Punch Taverns sells

Punch sell-off: CAMRA urges NewRiver to keep sites as pubs

27-Aug-2015 By Oli Gross

Pubs to be sold by Punch Taverns have the backing of The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which will encourage NewRiver Retail to continue running the sites as going concerns.

NewRiver Retail buys 158 Punch pubs

'Gobsmacked' licensee questions Punch motives after £53m sale

25-Aug-2015 By Oli Gross

An award-winning licensee of 20 years is questioning Punch Taverns’ motives for selling 158 “non-core” sites after her family pub was discarded by the pubco as a "going concern".

City news

Punch agrees £53.5m disposal to NewRiver

24-Aug-2015 By MC Allegra FS

Punch Taverns has this morning confirmed it has agreed to sell a package of 158 non-core pubs to NewRiver Retail, the UK REIT that specialises in the food and value sector, for £53.5m.

People News

Andy Slee departs Punch Taverns

31-Jul-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Allegra Foodservice

Punch Taverns has announced that external affairs and central operations director Andy Slee is leaving after almost five years with the company.

Punch to open pilot site for licensed cafe concept

14-Jul-2015 By MC Allegra FS

Punch Taverns has chosen a site in East Lothian to pilot its licensed café/bistro concept Brewed & Baked.

Comment

Punch director: Squeezing everything to find an extra profit

30-Jun-2015 By Paul Pavli

Are you converting sales into profit?

Punch Taverns

Minister at opening of transformed community pub

22-Jun-2015 By Oli Gross

A Nuneaton pub welcomed the community pubs minister to its opening on Thursday (18 June) following a £162,000 refurbishment.

Punch

Punch places portfolio on the market

26-May-2015 By M&C Report

Punch Taverns has placed a 160-strong portfolio of pubs on the market, valued at £50m according to M&C Report.

Punch

Punch launches workshops to help tenants prepare for summer

20-May-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Punch is offering its tenants a series of free workshops with the aim of increasing trading performance over the summer months.

Pubs code

Punch accused of ‘scaremongering’

29-Apr-2015 By Michelle Perrett

Pubco threatens legal action over MRO.

Operator news

Punch delivers profits

22-Apr-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Punch Taverns has reported a 0.5% rise in like-for-like income in its core estate for the 28 weeks to 7 March 2015 and EBITDA down from £108m for the period last year to £105m this year.

Punch set to launch free pint promotion

07-Apr-2015 By Mike Berry

Punch Taverns has teamed up with lager brands Carlsberg and Carling on a nationwide promotion giving drinkers the chance to enjoy a free pint in Punch pubs.

Punch unveils roadshow dates

02-Apr-2015 By Helen Gilbert

Punch Taverns has unveiled the dates and venues for its 12th annual roadshow.

'Oldest pub in London' celebrates 600th anniversary

20-Mar-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

A north London pub, thought to be the oldest surviving boozer in London, has organised a raft of creative events to celebrate its 600th anniversary.

Punch Taverns announces new chief executive

03-Mar-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Punch Taverns has appointed Duncan Garrood, former president of food at international franchise operator MH Alshaya, as its new chief executive.

Punch Taverns celebrates new business launch milestone

11-Feb-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Punch Taverns’ New Business Team has announced it has clocked up its 250th partner launch.

Tenant slams Punch for lack of support

04-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

A Punch Taverns tenant has hit out at the lack of support from the pub company six months after his outlet was named Best Partnership Pub in the North West at the Great British Pub Awards.

Punch plans to expand Mighty Local model

03-Feb-2015 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Punch Taverns believes there is potential to convert “hundreds” of its sites — both across its core and turnaround estate — to its fledgling wet-led community local model, Mighty Local, subject to clarity on the market rent only option (MRO), the Publican's...

Punch gives guidance to tenants on HMRC machine tax rebates

08-Dec-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch Taverns has reiterated its position regarding the “several hundred million pounds” collectively owed by pub operators in “overpaid” tax rebates, following more letters sent by HM Revenue & Customs to tenants.

Punch offers advice to tenants ahead of new allergen laws

26-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Punch Taverns has reminded licensees that it is offering help with implementation of the new allergen laws.

Punch abandons focus on food revenue

19-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Punch Taverns executive chairman Stephen Billingham said the company has abandoned its target of food sales making up 35% of its tenants’ revenue.

Punch responds to 'unfounded claims' from tenants

18-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch Taverns has responded to what it calls “unfounded claims” from its tenants, after it was accused in a number of evidence statements to the pubs code Bill.

Punch roadshow success 'reflects improving relationship with licensees’

12-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch Taverns said its 2014 nationwide roadshow has been the most successful tour in their 11-year history, after more than 2,300 licensees attended the event.

Full-year net income up 1.3% at Punch

12-Nov-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Punch Taverns has this morning reported a 1.3% rise in like-for-like net income across its 2,925-strong core estate – which marks five consecutive quarters of growth, and said it could now focus on improving its business through investment in its pubs...