Companies

Whitbread menus to feature plant-based 'Garden Gourmet' dishes

22-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

In January 2021 45% of meat-eaters aged 25 to 34 had cut down their meat consumption, research by Mintel showed, and the number of Brits adopting a vegan diet in 2020 skyrocketed by 40%, according to Finder, showing the demand for plant-based dishes has...

Nightcap acquires Barrio Familia for £4.9m

22-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Nightcap has announced the acquisition of Barrio Familia, meaning its estate has expanded by five additional bars.

The MA's Review of the Week

"Feels like everything is difficult to do at the moment"

19-Nov-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with Vicki Williams from Almond Family Pubs to get her thoughts on the weeks events, from ongoing supply challenges, staffing shortages, through to Christmas ordering nightmares.

Fuller’s ‘being careful about price increases’

18-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Fuller’s is concentrating on getting higher footfall, in a bid to avoid increasing prices, CEO Simon Emeny told The Morning Advertiser.

Brunning and Price eyes 80 sites

18-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple pub operator Brunning and Price has acquired two new sites, taking its total estate to 79, with plans for an eightieth in the pipeline.

Christmas bookings ‘in good shape’ for Fuller’s

18-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

South east-based firm Fuller’s has reported Christmas bookings are in “good shape” in a trading update for the first half of this financial year.

Marston's wins trio of awards

17-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Pub operator and brewer Marston's has won three awards at the 2020/2021 International Green Apple Environment Awards, which has recognised and rewarded companies globally for best environmental practice since it launched in 1994.

‘Fear of the unknown’ a big concern for Christmas trading

15-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Not knowing how bookings will be and the worry of restrictions being imposed on the sector are concerns for Christmas, one operator has told The Morning Advertiser.

Rising costs are 'frightening'

12-Nov-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's editor Ed Bedington speaks to Brian Whiting of WH Pubs for his views on the week's news, from inflationary pressures and premiumisation through to the debate over dogs in pubs.

Young’s ‘well-positioned for long-term sustainable growth’

12-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Young’s boss Patrick Dardis expects the business to benefit from further years of planned capital expenditure, he revealed in the company’s latest trading update.

RedCat continues expansion with destination pub acquisition

11-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Progressive business RedCat Pub Company is edging closer to the 100-site mark after it acquired a Suffolk destination venue.

Cocktail and spirits sales up, ale sales down for JDW

10-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Cocktail, vodka and rum sales have risen for pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) but draught products including traditional ale and stout sales have declined.

TV chef teams up with pub operator Fuller's

09-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Pub operator Fuller's has partnered with Brian Turner CBE as ambassador of its Sunday roasts across the company's managed pubs and hotels.

Stonegate Group to host unique recruitment event

09-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Pub operator the Stonegate Group is hosting a recruitment day on Wednesday 10 November at the Alice in Houndsditch, London.

Shepherd Neame reports strong trading since reopening

09-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Kent brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame has reported strong trading since reopening its 310 pubs for the 52 weeks ended 26 June 2021.

The history and business story of Young’s

09-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Historic brewer and pub company Young’s has been a household name in London and the surrounding area since before Queen Victoria took to the throne. Here The Morning Advertiser looks at its history, acquisitions and disposals.

Portobello snaps up former Antic pubs

08-Nov-2021 By Ed Bedington

Portobello Brewery has announced the acquisition of 12 freehold pubs it had been managing across the London area.

Greene King publishes book of inspirational stories

05-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Pub and brewer Greene King has published a collection of stories from its people working through the Covid pandemic.

‘Christmas is an opportunity to put prices up’

05-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Consumers are likely to spend more than previous years this Christmas, due to missing out on eating and drinking in hospitality last year, one operator has predicted.

Exclusive

Hickory’s makes the move to Yorkshire with new opening

04-Nov-2021 By Ed Bedington

An award-winning bar and restaurant group has announced it is set to expand further across the UK with the opening of its first site in West Yorkshire.

Running pub is like ‘putting on a show every day’ say Best Greene King Pub staff

03-Nov-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Running a pub is like “putting on a show every day”, where consistency is key and hard-won reputations are lost on a single visit, said senior staff at Surrey-based Greene King pub, the Rose and Crown.

Brakspear looking to expand managed arm by ‘at least 2 a year’

03-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

South east-based operator Brakspear has revealed is growth plans for its newly renamed managed division.

Nightcap reports 68% sales increase versus pre-Covid

03-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Nightcap, the parent company of cocktail bar groups London Cocktail Club and Tonight Josephine, has reported a 68% increase in net sales for a 13-week period versus the same, pre-Covid, equivalent in 2019.

The story of Marston's mergers and acquisitions

03-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Morning Advertiser has delved into the history of Marston’s, looking at the company’s biggest deals across the years.

Valiant Pub Co buys 17 pubs from SA Brain in first acquisition

02-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Recently formed business Valiant Pub Company has announced its first transaction after reaching an agreement to buy 17 pubs from SA Brain.

Opinion

Pub companies must do something about unviable rent offers

01-Nov-2021 By Phil Dixon, trade adviser

As Monty Python famously recorded: “Though there was trouble at the mill they didn’t expect ‘The Spanish Inquisition’.” There is trouble in the pub sector mill and there needs to be an inquisition into the behaviour and transparency of pub-owning companies.

Liberation Group refurbishment programme ‘forging ahead at speed’

29-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

A pub refurbishment programme by Liberation Group that takes on board its tenants’ ideas is “forging ahead at speed”.

JDW drops prices on three alcoholic serves to 99p

29-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) will reduce prices on a trio of alcoholic drinks to 99p at 671 of its pubs but minimum unit pricing means customers to sites in Scotland and Wales will pay £1.10 on one of those lines.

‘Everyone wants to be head chef, no one wants to learn anymore’

26-Oct-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The hospitality industry, which is “looked down upon” by UK public, must attract young staff to solve the staffing shortage, said award-winning chef patron of the Purefoy Arms in Preston Candover, Hampshire.

JDW’s pub deals and history

26-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

From unique carpeting at each of its sites to the grandeur and historic locations of some of its pubs, managed operator JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is one of the best-known brands across the UK on-trade.

Big Interview

Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company celebrates first year of merger

26-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

A year ago, brewing giants Carlsberg UK and Marston’s joined forces to become Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC). Here, CMBC chief executive Paul Davies tells The Morning Advertiser what’s been achieved in the year and what’s yet to come.

BrewDog announces biggest site ever as ‘new type of venue’

25-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Scottish bar operator BrewDog will open a mammoth flagship site at the revamped Waterloo Station, London, in summer next year.

Greene King mentors its executives as part of anti-racism pledge

22-Oct-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Greene King is championing diversity in its pubs through mentoring, following the company’s 2020 pledge to become truly anti-racist and inclusive with equal opportunities for all.

Cautious optimism for the future

22-Oct-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington catches up with industry legend Peter Borg-Neal, chairman of the Oakman Group, to get his views on the news that have shaped the sector this week.

Red Oak Taverns secures growth funding

20-Oct-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multi-site pub operator Red Oak Taverns has received a £15m acquisition facility from OakNorth Bank.

Hall & Woodhouse sees turnover drop of more than a third

20-Oct-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Dorset-based brewer and operator Hall & Woodhouse reported a fall in turnover of 38.7% to £71.5m for the year ending 30 January 2021.

M&B's acquisition story

19-Oct-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub company Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) currently has more than 1,700 sites across the restaurant and pub sector. Here, The Morning Advertiser takes a look back at how the business got to where it is today, through its merger and acquisition activity.

Greene King fulfils promise to combat modern day slavery

18-Oct-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Greene King has partnered with the Slave-Free Alliance as part of Anti-Slavery Week 2021, which takes place from 18 to 24 October.

Loungers announces plans to open further 10 sites

15-Oct-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multi-site operator Loungers is looking to expand its 181-strong estate by 10 venues in the current financial year, it has revealed.

Steven Smith: ‘You’re soon forgotten about in this industry’

13-Oct-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The chef-owner of the Freemasons at Wiswell, Clitheroe, said winning awards was essential for maintaining business, whilst also gave a “thumbs up” that the team were doing the right thing.

Marston’s sales now better than in 2019 for most recent quarter

13-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Pub operator Marston’s has seen a continuous improvement in trade since reopening in April, resulting in higher sales versus 2019.

The pandemic gave Michael Wignall chance to transform pub

12-Oct-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The pandemic provided an ideal chance to transform 15th century the Angel at Hetton from a “pubby-pub” into a more modern restaurant, according to the head-chef.

Stephen Harris: ‘You’re not necessarily going to just nick dishes wholesale, although I have’

12-Oct-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The chef-patron of The Sportsman in Seasalter Kent, widely acknowledged as one of the UK’s best gastropubs, revealed his award-winning menu was inspired by eating out, travelling and his back garden.

Stosie Madi: Awards should recognise more women

12-Oct-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The award-winning chef-patron of the Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland called for better representation of female chefs in top restaurant awards.

Greene King shows barrel-load of support for Macmillan nurses

12-Oct-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Greene King customers have been invited to show their support for Macmillan Cancer workers by simply visiting their local.

Admiral Taverns through the years

12-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

The Morning Advertiser examines the history of Admiral Taverns and its mergers and acquisitions activity throughout the years.

Key to award-winning pubs is close-knit teams

11-Oct-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A tight-knight team and relaxed working environment are key to success, said top chefs from pubs placing in this year’s National Restaurant Awards.

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Free order and pay solution for MA Leaders members up for grabs

11-Oct-2021 By OrderPay

OrderPay, the UK’s leading order and payment solution is offering their entire system at no cost to anyone who attended the MA Leaders Club event in Leeds on Thursday 23 September 2021.

The MA's Review of the Week

Honesty needed in minimum wage debate

08-Oct-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington catches up with the Vaulkhard Group's Ollie Vaulkhard to get his thoughts on the latest headlines affecting the pub sector.