Companies

Operator comment: Brendan Padfield of the Unruly Pig outlines his thoughts on the current landscape facing the sector

Opinion

'Things can only get better'

By Brendan Padfield, owner, the Unruly Pig, Bromeswell, Suffolk

I am old enough to remember when Tony Blair first got elected and particularly the Labour Party’s then electoral anthem “things can only get better “.

Company initiative: the Blueprint was first unveiled in May this year and outlined the BrewDog's profit share scheme

BrewDog pays out over £300k in Blueprint bonus

By Nikkie Thatcher

Scottish brewer and multi-site operator BrewDog has revealed it has paid the first of its new Blueprint bonus profit share scheme to more than 1,700 bar staff.

Portfolio growth: the Engine Room in Ashton-under-Lyme was acquired from City Pub Group

Amber Taverns acquires three new sites

By Finn Scott-Delany, MCA

Amber Taverns has completed on three new sites, in Ashton-under-Lyne, Peterlee and Shrewsbury, managing director James Baer has told MCA.

Huge contribution: Steven Kenee to step down as Oakman Group chief investment officer (Pictured: Steven Kenee with Peter Borg-Neal)

Steven Kenee to leave Oakman Group

By Gary Lloyd

Steven Kenee is to leave his role as chief investment officer at Oakman Group. Kenee joined Oakman three years ago from Downing where he had grown to admire the company while managing Downing’s investment into the business.

Rising costs: Bath Pub Company managing director Joe Cussens says there is no help with ever-increasing energy prices

Bath Pub Company lfl revenue up 34% v 2019

By Gary Lloyd

Bath-based pub operator The Bath Pub Company has reported a 34% increase in like-for-like (lfl) revenue in the first half of 2022 versus the same period in pre-pandemic trading in 2019.

End of an era: Prince of Wales in Moseley (interior pictured) to close at the end of the month (Credit: Greene King website)

Former BII award-winner to leave pub

By Rebecca Weller

A former British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) licensee of the year award winner has confirmed the closure of Birmingham pub.

What's in the news 5 August

Review of the Week

Tom Kerridge: It's a very bumpy road ahead

By Nikkie Thatcher

With inflation dominating the headlines, celebrity chef and pub operator Tom Kerridge has his say on this week's news with The Morning Advertiser's Nikkie Thatcher.

Delighted: Nightcap chief executive Sarah Willingham (credit: Nicky Johnston)

Nightcap announces 23.6% revenue increase

By Gary Lloyd

Nightcap, the owner of The Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group and the Barrio Familia group of bars, has reported a 23.6% like-for-like revenue increase for the final 13 weeks of its financial year, ended 3 July 2022.

Company portfolio: Red Oak Taverns now operates 208 sites across the UK, which are predominantly leased and tenanted

Red Oak secures £110m debt facility

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multi-site operator Red Oak Taverns has secured a six year £110m whole loan arranged by Excellion Capital to push forward with the group’s growth plans.

Company growth: Nightcap is looking to expand its portfolio further

Nightcap launches Bar Academy to aid staff retention

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Nightcap has announced the launch of its Bar Academy – a dedicated training hub – alongside a new opening of the group’s Tonight Josephine brand in Bristol.

Marston's third quarter report: sales down 2% vs 2019

Marston's third quarter sales down 2%

By Shwetali Sapte

Marston’s has reported like-for-like (lfl) sales were down 2% in the 42 weeks to 23 July, compared to the same period in FY2019.

Big plans: Robinsons has seen profits climb ahead of its move to amalgamate its head office, brewing and packaging operations

Robinsons turns loss into £4.5m profit

By Gary Lloyd

Stockport-based brewer and pub operator Robinsons Brewery has announced an operating profit of £4.5m after ploughing £3.5m into its managed and tenanted pub estates.

What's in the news 22 July?

Adaption will be key to survival

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Lee Price operations director of the Royal Pier in Aberystwyth for his take on the week's news, from escalating costs to the rising temperatures.

Company strategy: Mark Robson (right) said there were plans for all New Dawn Pubs to 'lead the way in design and authenticity'

Red Mist founders exit to create new pub company

By Ed Bedington

The founders of Red Mist have exited the business to set up a new pub company New Dawn Pubs, taking four of the former Red Mist sites and are in the process of acquiring a fifth.

Q3 update: sales are up at M&B despite challenging conditions

Food drives like-for-like sales at M&B

By Gary Lloyd

Multi-brand pub and restaurant operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has announced a 0.9% like-for-like sales boost in the 42 weeks up to 16 July 2022 with food being the main driver.

Sales rising: Fuller's has opened a landside site at Heathrow's Terminal 2

Fuller’s buoyed by 3% sales boost

By Gary Lloyd

London-based pub operator Fuller, Smith & Turner (Fuller’s) has announced total sales are up 3% on pre-pandemic levels and it has three sites in the pipeline, in its latest trading update.

Property deal: two Berkeley Inns sites have been acquired by RedCat Pub Company (image: Getty/Cecilie_Arcurs)

RedCat acquires two Berkeley Inns sites

By Nikkie Thatcher

The investment vehicle founded and chaired by former Greene King boss Rooney Anand, RedCat Pub Company has bought two pubs from Berkeley Inns.

Upwards trends: Barkby Group has seen positive growth to all sides of its business (credit: Getty/John Lamb)

Barkby Group reports 122% revenue boost to pub arm

By Gary Lloyd

Gastropub operator Barkby Group has reported revenue rise of 122% in its latest FY results ended 2 July 2022, and added it will look to dispose of non-core assets to focus on its property development business and pub arm.

Record year: Nick Collins and Alex Reilley (right) of Loungers

Loungers plans to open ‘at least’ 500 sites

By Gary Lloyd

All-day bar-restaurant brand Loungers said it expects to open at least 500 sites across its Lounge and Cosy Club brands, after reporting a record year of financial and operational progress.

Financial input discussion: Peter Borg-Neal (right) at the Pub Conference with MCA editor Finn Scott-Delany

Oakman contemplates minority stake sell-off

By Finn Scott-Delany

Oakman Group is in talks with private equity groups to put more cash in the balance sheet and accelerate its expansion plans, MCA’s Pub Conference has heard.

Hat-trick: Beds & Bars announces third Investors In People Platinum award (Credit: Getty/sturti)

Beds & Bars announces third Investors In People platinum award

By Rebecca Weller

Multi-site operator Beds & Bars has announced it has attained its third platinum award from Investors In People, as the company received a 100% positive response rate from its team members, having all answered yes when asked ‘would you recommend Beds...

Excellent performance: Oakman Group reports £51.2% higher like for like sales for the 2020/2021 financial year (Pictured: Oakman Group executive chairman Peter Borg-Neal and CEO Dermot King)

Oakman Group reports total group sales of £65.1m

By Rebecca Weller

Large multi-site pub operator Oakman Group has reported total group sales of £65.1m for the end of the 2021/2022 financial year, up 79% compared vs 2020/2021 and 55.4% compared with 2018/2019.

Moving up: Young’s expects its recent site acquisitions to benefit the business this year

Young’s revenue up 39.7% in Q1 2022

By Gary Lloyd

Brewer and pub operator Young & Co’s Brewery has announced revenue is 39.7% for the first quarter of this year, in a trading update ahead of its AGM on Tuesday 5 July.

What's in the news 1 July

The MA's Review of the Week

'Tax relief can help hospitality businesses to reinvest'

By Ed Bedington

Owner of the Veeno wine bar business, Rodrigue Trouillet shared his thoughts on the weeks news with the MA's Ed Bedington, from tax relief to the ongoing recruitment challenges.

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Property of the week

Trust Nightclub - Friars Gate, Warrington

£ 150,000 - To Let

Friars Gate, WarringtonLocated in the Heart of the Town Centre Nightclub Circuit6AM Licence on Friday & SaturdayClose Proximity to UniversitySeparate Floors AvailablePotential to Split Subject...

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