Companies

Improving situation: City Pub Group chairman Clive Watson and new site Oyster House

City Pub Group trade better than pre-pandemic

By Gary Lloyd

Multiple operator City Pub Group has announced it is trading better than it did pre-pandemic in 2019, according to its results for the six months ended 26 June 2022.

Event details: the MA Leaders Club conference took place at Komedia in Brighton on Thursday 15 September

MA Leaders club

Consumers want honesty from operators about rising costs

By Nikkie Thatcher

Some 20% of consumers felt strongly that venue owners should be open and honest about rising costs to soften the blow and extend consumers’ understanding of the challenges the sector is facing, a survey has found.

Jackpot: Free tacos if vouchers found

Revolution to give away 1,800 tacos

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Revolución de Cuba, a subset of Revolution Bars Group, has pledged to give away 1,800 free tacos as part of a national treasure hunt celebrating the launch of its new food menu.

Much needed clarity: Fuller's calls for clarity on energy support package as the company sees £10m energy costs hike

Fuller's calls for energy support 'clarity'

By Rebecca Weller

Fuller, Smith & Turner has urged the Government to provide “clarity” regarding support packages for the hospitality sector as the London-based operator faces a £10m hike in energy costs.

New national service: sector deserves more respect and should be seen as career option (Pictured: Tanya Wicks (left), Clive Price (centre) and MA news editor Nikkie Thatcher (right) at MA Leaders Brighton)

Hospitality should be 'new national service'

By Rebecca Weller

Hospitality should be a “new national service” as the sector offers varied experiences across all skill levels, according to Barons Pub Company managing director Clive Price.

Putting money in the bin: sustainability and food waste management could be solution to ease energy crisis (Credit:Getty/libin jose)

Sustainability 'solution to crippling overheads'

By Rebecca Weller

Now is not the time for operators to let sustainability fall away and could help ease the impact of the energy crisis, according to Net Zero Now executive director Simon Heppner.

Can't cope: Soaring energy costs force Brighton pub to close (Getty/ Rogan Macdonald)

Energy costs force seaside pub to close

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Rising electricity bills and issues caused by Brexit have forced Brighton Beer Dispensary in East Sussex, to close its doors for good.

Power play: co-founders Charlie Gilkes (pictured) and Duncan Stirling will launch the site in October

Inception Group to open power station-themed bar

By Gary Lloyd

London-based bar operator Inception Group will open a 1950s-themed site in Battersea Power Station’s historic Control Room B on 14 October when the grade II*-listed building opens its doors to the public.

Happier times: North Brewing Co at The Publican Awards earlier this year

North Brewing fundraising as ticket firm enters administration

By Gary Lloyd

Craft beer brewer and bar operator North Brewing Co has launched a fundraising campaign after the business that was providing tickets for its inaugural beer festival went into administration, leaving North £25,000 out of pocket.

Equality needed: 'it doesn't make sense for the hospitality industry to subsidise supermarkets,' JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin says (image: Getty/Image Source)

JDW slashes prices to highlight VAT cut benefit

By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub behemoth JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is cutting prices on its food and drink for one day to spotlight the benefit a permanent VAT decrease would have on the hospitality sector.

Right time: Leeds pub forced to close kitchen amid soaring energy costs (Credit:Getty/Lebazele)

Pub forced to close kitchen due to energy costs

By Rebecca Weller

A Leeds-based pub has been forced into "tough decision" to make chef redundant and close its kitchen in an effort to “save the rest of the pub” due to rocketing energy costs.

'Ludicrous' energy quotes: chef Tom Kerridge (pictured) warns hospitality businesses may be forced to

Kerridge warns sector could "mothball"

By Rebecca Weller

Many hospitality businesses have considered closing during the winter months following “ludicrous” energy quotes, chef and business owner Tom Kerridge has said.

Operator caution: BrewDog boss James Watt warned the energy crisis could cause more business casualties than the pandemic

BrewDog ‘no choice but to close 6 bars’

By Nikkie Thatcher

James Watt, co-founder and CEO of BrewDog, has revealed the company closed six of its bars due to rocketing energy costs and has blasted the Government as "clueless".

Heart of the community: Punch Pub site the Moorend Spout reopens following £350k investment

Punch site reopens after £350k refurb

By Rebecca Weller

Independent pub company Punch Pubs site the Moorend Spout in Nailsea, Somerset, has reopened under new management following a £350,000 investment from the pub company.

CGA BrandTrack: JDW most visited brand in six-month period (Pictured: JDW chair Tim Martin)

JDW 'most visited licensed brand'

By The Morning Advertiser

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) was the most visited licensed brand and the third most visited brand in the UK’s hospitality sector during six-month period, according to the latest CGA BrandTrack.

Talks fail: the licensees of a Hampshire pub have been forced to quit over surging costs (credit: Getty/mauro_grigollo)

Soaring costs force licensees to quit pub

By Gary Lloyd

The operators of Hampshire pub the White Horse Inn have said an emotional farewell after failing to negotiate terms with pubco Admiral Taverns to keep the pub open.

Business growth: Rekom UK chief executive Peter Marks previously said the company was moving forward with its strategy of cluster openings

Rekom to open UK’s first Proud Mary pub

By Shwetali Sapte, MCA

Rekom will open as the UK’s first Proud Mary pub at the end of October after having acquired the former Yard Bar on Cardiff’s St Mary’s Street.

Work-related stress: Burnt Chef Project announces new guide to help employers tackle stress in the work-place

Burnt Chef Project releases new guide

By Rebecca Weller

The Burnt Chef Project has released a new Work-Related Stress Guide, designed to provide insight to employers and leaders on how they can start to strategically tackle stress within their place of work.

New appointment: Simon Bonwick (pictured) has been confirmed to be taking over the kitchen at the Princess of Shoreditch from the end of August

Simon Bonwick to join Princess of Shoreditch

By Rebecca Weller

Michelin-starred chef Simon Bonwick has been confirmed to be joining Noble Inns site the Princess of Shoreditch in East London as head chef at the end of August.

Tax equality: JDW chair Tim Martin said if pubs were to survive and thrive in the future, the sector needs to be treated fairly

JDW boss reiterates calls for tax equality

By Nikkie Thatcher

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) chairman Tim Martin has repeated his calls for pubs to have tax equality with supermarkets in order to “survive and thrive in the future”.

Alternative career path: Greene King survey reveals one in five A-level graduate would opt for apprenticeship instead

1 in 5 graduates prefer apprenticeships

By Rebecca Weller

Operator and brewer Greene King has announced its plans to take on 5,000 new apprentices by 2025 as one in five Brits (20%) stated they would consider an apprenticeship over A-levels given the chance again, according to research conducted by the pub company.

North-east bound: The Botanist menu includes hanging kebabs, recycled banana and ginger cocktails and vegan choices

North-east opening for The Botanist

By Gary Lloyd

Multiple operator New World Trading Company (NWTC) is set to launch a new site for its brand The Botanist in Sunderland.

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