Companies

Charles Wells reports a year of 'steady progress'

24-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Charles Wells has reported a year of “steady progress” as it grew pre-tax profits from £6.5m to £6.7m and reduced net debt by £18.8m to £44.7m, due to the sale of its distribution depot and its Kestrel Super Strength brand.

BBPA produces World Cup guidance for pubs

24-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has produced guidance for pubs to help them make the most of this year’s World Cup which is being held in Brazil.

MP Greg Mulholland asks for reassurance over Punch tenants deposits

24-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

Save the Pub Group chairman MP Greg Mulholland has asked Punch for reassurance that its tenants deposits are secure in the event that the company goes into administration.

Kent licensee 'in limbo' after patio setback

23-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A Kent licensee fears for his trade after he was banned from using the patio next to his bar due to noise, despite the fact it has been part of his business for 12 years.

The Big Interview: Chris Welham, Spirit Leased

22-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

Chris Welham, managing director at Spirit Leased, tells Michelle Perrett how he helped turn the ailing business around to build an estate that is now thriving, and how he plans to maintain the success.

Masterchef winner Anton Piotrowski opens second pub

22-Jan-2014

MasterChef: The Professional winner Anton Piotrowski is opening his second pub on 7 February.

Wetherspoons reports healthy like-for-like sales

22-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

JD Wetherspoon has reported a 6.7% rise in like-for-like sales in the 12 weeks to 19 January although it expects pre-exceptional operating margin for H1 to be slightly lower than in the same period last year.

Sides clash over Punch debt restructure

22-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Punch Taverns executive chairman Stephen Billingham and a committee representing senior Punch noteholders have clashed over the process of the company’s debt restructure.

Thwaites plans 60 redundancies in brewing restructure

21-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Daniel Thwaites, the Lancashire-based brewer and pub operator, has announced plans to further restructure its brewing operations that could lead to the loss of a further 60 jobs.

Marston's Destination and Premium festive sales grow

21-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Marston’s, the brewer and pub operator, saw like-for-like sales grow 3.3% over the key festive period (three weeks to 3 January) in its Destination and Premium division.

BBC searches for young chefs to star in TV series

20-Jan-2014 By Lesley Foottit

The BBC is searching for ambitious young chefs to star in a new cookery series.

Time for a fresh industry attitude

20-Jan-2014 By Ashley McCarthy

A New Year, same old story? Come on — let’s blow the cobwebs away and make 2014 a year to remember for our industry, argues BII Licensee of the Year Ashley McCarthy.

Go Hard or Go Home: Licensee David Ripo on his Texas white-water challenge

20-Jan-2014 By David Ripo

Four Essex-based licensees feature in a new Channel 5 reality show Go Hard or Go Home, where ordinary members of the public take part in some of the world’s most extreme endurance races with only 12 weeks to prepare. Here one of them, David Ripo, blogs...

Oxford pub pushes the boat out to stay afloat in the floods

20-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

Pub-goers who have battled the elements to reach their local in Oxford have been rewarded with a bite to eat or money off their bar bill.

Industry figures defend trade over report that claims bartenders routinely serve drunks

17-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Leading industry figures have defended the pub trade against a report that has claimed that licensees routinely break a law which says they should refuse to serve people who already drunk.

The Development Chef Awards are open for entries

16-Jan-2014 By Lesley Foottit

The inaugural Development Chef Awards are open for entries.

New chair of SIA takes up role

16-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

Elizabeth France has started her new role as the chair of the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

CAMRA launches petition calling for Pubs Watchdog

16-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

CAMRA, (Campaign for Real Ale), has launched a petition to build pressure on the Government in advance of the Parliamentary debate on Tuesday (21 Jan) calling for a Pubs Watchdog.

The Chublican: Licensees’ lifestyles laid bare in health survey

15-Jan-2014 By Rob Willock

The average pub licensee is bordering on obese, according to research conducted by the PMA with Channel 5.

Two Cornish pubs in library pilot scheme

15-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

Two rural pubs in Cornwall have teamed up with Cornwall Council in a pilot scheme to provide community libraries for local residents.

Punch announces full restructure proposal

15-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Punch Taverns, the tenanted and leased pub operator, has announced the full terms of its debt restructuring proposal and said that failure to effect the restructure would be expected to lead to a default in the near-term.

Hall & Woodhouse secures funding for new pubs

15-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Hall & Woodhouse, the Dorset-based brewer and pub operator, has secured a £20m, 10 year loan from M&G Investments to help it acquire and invest in new pubs.

Everards eyes six acquisitions in 2014

14-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Everards managing director Stephen Gould has told M&C Report he hopes to add around six sites this year, as the company reports a 1.7% rise in profit before tax and exceptionals to £1.6m in the year to 30 September.

Luminar announces new chairman

14-Jan-2014

Luminar, the nightclub operator led by Peter Marks, has announced that Alex Geffert is to step down as chairman on 16 January and will be replaced by Bob Brannan, former group managing director of Whyte & Mackay and William Grant Distillers and former...

Spirit managed like-for-likes grow and tenanted estate returns to growth

14-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Spirit Pub Company has reported a 4.3% rise in like-for-like net sales in its managed arm in the 20 weeks to 4 January - including growth of 7% over Christmas - while its Leased estate returned to like-for-like net income growth.

All Bar One eyes airport debut

13-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is in talks to open a first site under its All Bar One brand at Birmingham Airport, M&C Report understands.

Greene King managed like-for-like sales rise 6.3% over festive fortnight

13-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Greene King, the brewer and pub operator, has reported a 5% rise in like-for-like sales at its managed sites in the past six weeks, with managed like-for-likes up 6.3% in the two weeks over Christmas and the New Year, including sales on Christmas Day...

Butcombe to take action against legal advisors

13-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Butcombe Brewery has reported a sharp fall in full-year profits and says it’s taking action against its legal advisors in relation to costs incurred to enact a break clause on a pub lease.

Bramwell owed £60.6m at collapse

10-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Bramwell Pub Company collapsed owing £60.6m to creditors, according to a new report that says the decision to put the company in administration followed a deterioration of trade and was sparked by one of its suppliers reducing its credit terms and demanding...

Former Yummy Pub Co manager jailed for £19,000 theft

10-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

Yummy Pub Co has said its trust was betrayed in one of the “most shocking ways” as its former general manager Aron Sheridan was sentenced to eight months in jail for the theft of £19,000 from the Grove Ferry Inn, near Canterbury in Kent.

NatWest/RBS launch £250m storm fund

09-Jan-2014 By Mark Wingett

NatWest and RBS have launched a £250m UK Storm Business Fund to provide short term, interest free financing to speed recovery for businesses affected by recent floods and gales.

Loungers promotes current finance director Nick Collins to chief operating officer

09-Jan-2014 By Mark Wingett

Loungers, the Piper-backed cafe bar operator, has promoted current finance director Nick Collins to chief operating officer (COO) to support its push through the 50-site barrier and beyond to its 2017 target of 90 sites.

Charles Wells congratulates licensee for recognition in New Year's honours list

08-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

Charles Wells has congratulated its licensee Peter Meads from the Cross Keys in Pulloxhill for being awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community and charity in the New Year’s honours list.

Jail for man who sold unofficial Sky systems to licensees

08-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

A man has been jailed for 16 months for selling systems to pubs that allowed access to Sky Sports without a commercial viewing agreement.

Brakspear holds ale prices to licensees

08-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

Pub operator and brewer Brakspear is holding prices on all Brakspear ales supplied to its 129 pubs.

Punch disposals to take longer than anticipated

07-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Punch Taverns, the tenanted and leased pub company, expects its pub disposal process to take about two years longer than initially thought.

Colne rehab scheme for banned pub drinkers hailed a success

07-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A Colne rehabilitation scheme for banned pub drinkers has been hailed a success, five months into its 12-month pilot.

The Alma in Newington Green is listed as asset of community value

07-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Alma, in Newington Green, north London, has been listed as an Asset of Community Value the same day it re-opened with a new tenant at the helm and one month after former licensee Kirsty Valentine was evicted.

Peter Austin dies age 92

06-Jan-2014 By Roger Protz

Peter Austin, the man who set up Ringwood Brewery, died aged 92 on 1 January 2014.

Small AWP supplier hits out at 'fear mongering' tactics of large players

06-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A small pub gaming machine supplier has hit out at the “fear mongering” tactics of the “Big Nominated Players”, after large suppliers have written to the Government expressing serious concerns about plans to ban the Amusement With Prizes (AWP) tie.

New tenant at Lass O'Gowrie in Manchester

06-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

A new tenant has stepped into the frame at an award-winning Manchester pub.

CAMRA launches new Pubs and the Economy campaign

06-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has today launched its ‘Pubs and the Economy’ campaign, aiming to promote the benefits of pubs to British economy and encourage more people to use their local during January, which is often a quiet period for the industry.

Poor weather hits Palmers' profits

06-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Palmers, the Dorset-based brewer and pub operator, has reported a drop in profits and turnover in the year to 31 March 2013 as it suffered from poor weather and the Olympic “stay away factor”.

Hydes targets acquisitions; swings into the black

03-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Hydes, the Manchester-based brewer and pub operator, plans to trial a value dining concept and says it is “actively seeking” acquisitions for its managed arm.

BrewDog fundraising drive secures almost 10,000 investors

03-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Almost 10,000 people invested in the latest £4.25m fundraising drive from BrewDog, the company has said.

Hook Norton returns to profit

03-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Hook Norton, the Oxfordshire-based brewer and pub operator, returned to profit in the year to 30 September and said it would dispose of more pubs and “potentially” make acquisitions.

Pub groups and licensees kick off January sales

03-Jan-2014 By Michelle Perrett

Managed pub chains and licensees have launched their January sales hoping to drive business during the traditionally quiet month.

Pubwatch scheme stopped due to lack of pub support

02-Jan-2014 By Lewis Brown

A pubwatch scheme run by a coalition of businesses in Somerset has been shut down due to a lack of financial support from its members.

Great British Pub Award 2012 Pub of the Year forced to surrender lease

02-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Great British Pub Award 2012 Pub of the Year winner has been forced to surrender his lease after his pub company claimed he was a below-average operator.

TCG reports strong Christmas trading

02-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

Turnover for TCG, the managed operator, grew 7% over the Christmas and New Year period, the company has said.Food sales grew 10% across the business, according to chief operating officer Nigel Wright.