Companies

Oakman Group offer lifeline to Archer's hotel staff

Oakman to the rescue in the Archers

By Ed Bedington

In a stroke of marketing genius, the Oakman Group has stepped into the fictional world in a bid to rescue a team of hospitality workers.

Pushing forward: M&B reports profits of £120m

M&B reports profits of £120m

By Rebecca Weller

Large multi-site pub operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has reported profits of £120m for the first half of 2022.

Return to profit: Marston's reports £369.7m revenue

Marston’s reports return to operating profit

By Shwetali Sapte

Marston’s PLC has reported a return to pub operating profit and normalised trading, with like-for-like (LFL) sales at 97% of 2019 levels in the 26 weeks ending 2 April.

New opening: Tin of Sardines to launch Sunderland venue

Tin of Sardines to open third site

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Tin of Sardines, which made headlines when it opened the world’s smallest gin bar in Durham, is set to open a third site, on Sunderland’s sea front, with a landscaped outdoor terrace hanging over the Roker Pier.

What's in the news 13 May 2022?

Review of the week

'Everyone has got so creative with outside space, it's fantastic'

By Nikkie Thatcher

Directors of Green Salmon Co Jason Green and David Salmon spoke with The Morning Advertiser's Nikkie Thatcher to discuss the top headlines of this week including outlining how they retain staff and a trading update on the business.

Major refurb: Brakspear reopen the Bull, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

Brakspear pub the Bull reopens after major makeover

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Multiple operator and brewer Brakspear has reopened the Bull on Bell Street in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, after an extensive refurb, the first major investment within its managed estate since it was rebranded as Honeycomb Houses last autumn.

Strong recovery: St Austell Brewery has more funding available to improve further in 2022

St Austell Brewery back in profit post-Covid

By Gary Lloyd

South-west-based brewer and pub operator St Austell Brewery has reported a strong recovery and a return to profitability in 2021 after the impact of the pandemic.

Celebrating success: Outstanding contribution winners

Supply chain heroes celebrated at Pride of Greene King Awards

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Teams who went above and beyond to ensure pubs were well stocked and smoothly run during the unprecedented challenges of the past year were recognised at the annual Pride of Greene King awards last Wednesday (4 May).

Chapter Collection: the Clerk & Well is the first site under Stonegate's new division

Stonegate unveils new premium division

By Finn Scott-Delany, MCA editor

Stonegate has launched the first site under its new premium division, which will be known internally as the Chapter Collection.

That's the spirit: Brave operator sought for 'haunted' pub

Greene King seek new owner for haunted Scottish pub

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Suffolk-based pubco Greene King is offering a discounted rent to any operator brave enough to man the Osnaburg Bar in Forfar, Angus, which is fabled to be one of Scotland’s most haunted pubs.

Here's to many more years: Operators celebrate 43 years at Kent-based pub the Anchor

Licensees celebrate 43 years behind the bar

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Licensees of the Anchor in Sevenoaks, Kent, have celebrated their 43rd anniversary behind the bar as they opt to sign another 10-year contract with pubco Admiral Taverns.

Improving figures: JDW chairman Tim Martin expects ‘relative normality’ in the company's next financial year

JDW profits set to ‘break even’, boardroom switch announced

By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has announced it “anticipates a ‘break-even’ outcome for profits in the current financial year” in its Q3 trading update, adding like-for-like sales were “slightly positive” for the last two weeks.

City centre: the next MA Leaders Club meeting will be in Manchester (image: Getty/ChrisHepburn)

MA Leaders Club

Manchester MA Leaders stellar line-up revealed

By The Morning Advertiser

This month (May) will see MA Leaders hit the iconic city of Manchester where we’ll also be hearing from a number of speakers and experts about business growth, the ongoing pricing issues and more.

Cash injection: the White Swan in Ockbrook, near Derby reopened in April after a joint investment of £120,000 from Star and the pub's licensees

Star pumps £42m into pub refurbs

By Rebecca Weller

Heineken pub arm Star Pubs & Bars has announced it will invest £42m into upgrading more than a quarter of its estate during 2022 with particular focus on pub gardens in suburban areas as well as those on high streets and near residential neighbourhoods.

What's in the news 29 April

The MA's Review of the Week

Pubs must remain an affordable treat

By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington catches up with Anglian Country Inns md James Nye to get his take on the week's news, from inflationary pressures, the return to the "new normal" and tackling the recruitment crisis.

Multiple operator: Nightcap currently has more than 30 sites in its estate

Nightcap’s growth trajectory continues

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Nightcap has continued its growth trajectory in the third quarter of its 2022 financial year, which is the 14 weeks ending 3 April.

The White Horse: Arlesey pub reopens following investment from new licensee Hertfields and Greene King Pub Partners

Bedfordshire pub reopens following Greene King investment

By Rebecca Weller

The White Horse in Arlesey, Bedfordshire has reopened following a joint investment from pub owners Greene King Pub Partners and new licensee Hertfields, a local pub and events company run by Steve Birch.

Price hikes: JD Wetherspoon's labour costs have risen by 7.7% in 2022 (image: Getty/Pears2295)

JDW has increased pay rates by 5.5%

By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has pushed its average pay per hour up by 5.5% a year from 2013 to 2021, it has revealed.

Multiple operator: Nightcap CEO Sarah Willingham founded the business two years ago

A deep dive into Nightcap’s acquisition trail

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Nightcap has hit the acquisition trail hard, buying up a number of sites over the past 12 months, taking it to a 33-strong estate at present, with an additional 23 under offer or in legal negotiations.

Greene King, greener planet: The pubco pledges to become net zero by 2040 (Getty/ jaquesvandinteren)

Greene King pledges to be net zero by 2040

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Greene King has pledged to become net zero by 2040, following steps taken by trade bodies to cut down the sector’s carbon footprint after the chief executive dubbed the climate crisis the “greatest challenge of our time.”

Rapid growth: Nightcap CEO Sarah Willingham says the Bristol opening for Blame Gloria is set to take place later this year (credit: Nicky Johnston)

Nightcap announces first Blame Gloria opening outside London

By Gary Lloyd

Nightcap, the owner of The Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group and the Barrio Familia group of bars, has announced another opening for the rapidly expanding group in the form of a Blame Gloria site, which sits under the Adventure Bar Group umbrella,...

Boss comment: 'Through the pandemic, we are justly proud of how H&W has resolutely stuck to its purpose and lived by its values despite the extreme pressure,' says H&W chairman Anthony Woodhouse

Hall & Woodhouse returns to profitability

By Nikkie Thatcher

South England-based business Hall & Woodhouse (H&W) has returned to profitability with an underlying profit before tax of £1.6m in the 2021/22 financial year, after a loss previous period of £10.5m.

Trade hits back: The Oakman Group's Dermot King says businesses must be able to trade under a fair tax system

Give the Government credit WHEN credit is due

By Dermot King, CEO, The Oakman Group

The Oakman Group chief executive Dermot King responds to Lord Smith of Hindhead’s reaction to the hospitality sector over funding.

Recognising hard work: Fuller's celebrate Pride of Fuller's awards winners with Sunday lunches hosted by TV chef Brian Turner CBE

Fuller's celebrates Pride of Fuller's awards

By Rebecca Weller

Large multi-site pub operator Fuller, Smith and Turner has celebrated the Pride of Fuller's awards after receiving more than 250 nominations and selecting 20 winners.

Accolade received: North was awarded Best Brewing Pub Company at the 2022 Publican Awards

Exclusive

North eyes London and Birmingham openings

By Nikkie Thatcher

Leeds-based operator and brewery North Bar/North Brew Co is looking to open sites in London and Birmingham, one of the co-founders told The Morning Advertiser.

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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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