Companies

Punch and Big Smoke announce craft beer and food pub joint venture

24-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

Independent pub company Punch and Big Smoke Brew Co have joined forces to launch a collection of craft beer and food pubs across the southeast of England.

MA’S REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Long-term Government view on industry needs will make ‘enormous difference’

21-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Fine & Country Inns’ chief executive Gary Hunt to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

Young’s ‘confident’ despite pandemic denting revenue by more than £200m

21-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

London-based pub operator Young’s saw group revenue fall by in the region of £220m during the 52 weeks to 29 March 2021.

Adnams forecasts return to full rent ‘later in the year’

20-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

Suffolk-based brewer and operator Adnams anticipates that its pubs will return to full rents later in the year provided there are no further regional or national lockdowns.

Young’s explores tenanted estate sale

20-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

London-based operator Young & Co's Brewery has appointed Savills to handle the potential sale of its tenanted pub business.

Marston’s records £105.5m loss

19-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

While pub operator Marston’s has revealed a £105.5m pre-tax loss in the 26 weeks to 3 April, the firm cites post-lockdown sales hitting 80% of pre-pandemic levels as cause for optimism.

M&B suffers £200m loss as pandemic restrictions bite

19-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

Despite takings tumbling by 79% during the six months to 10 April, the CEO of the firm behind Toby Carvery and All Bar One believes it can emerge from pandemic restrictions in a ‘strong competitive position’.

ETM Group founders seek £4.3m for new bar venture

17-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

The founders of London-based ETM Group are aiming to raise £4.3m to fund new seven-site venture, Maven Leisure.

Big interview

Secrets behind the success of North Bar/North Brewing Co

14-May-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Off the back of North Bar/North Brewing Co’s recent win at the 2021 Publican Awards, The Morning Advertiser caught up (virtually of course) with head of retail Fiona Potts just before the company opened its latest venue for outdoor trading.

MA’s review of the week

‘Second wave’ of pub goers expected for indoor opening

14-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Beer and Coffee Co. director Matt Crowther to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

Retiring Welsh operators to give pub away in raffle

14-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

The husband-and-wife team behind the Raglan Arms in Llandenny, Monmouthshire, have opted to raffle off their fully-stocked pub as they retire from the industry.

MA Leaders Club

Furlough: 'great for employees, disastrous for employers’

13-May-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Nightclubs have been left out of much of the Government support after being closed for almost 18 months.

MA Leaders Club

Coronavirus pandemic ‘sped up recruitment challenge’

13-May-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Recruitment was already challenging due to factors such as Brexit, but the coronavirus crisis has escalated matters further according to one operator.

MA Leaders Club

Customer confidence slowly increasing as restriction lift

13-May-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Consumer optimism around the pub sector is increasing as lockdown begins to ease, a leading data expert has revealed.

Pub operator elected mayor of Goole

13-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

A Hawthorn pub operator has been elected mayor of the port, market town and civil parish of Goole in East Riding of Yorkshire.

'Change in emphasis' to boost City Pub Group expansion

13-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

City Pub Group’s executive chairman, Clive Watson, explains that the operator’s definition of ‘high quality’ pub opportunities has changed slightly as the Group emerges from lockdown.

Marston’s appoints Andrew Andrea as next CEO

12-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

Marston’s board has announced Andrew Andrea will take the reins as its next chief executive officer from 3 October 2021.

Nightcap raises £10m through share placing

12-May-2021 By Georgi Gyton, MCA

Nightcap has raised £10m through a share placing in order to further its investment strategy and to roll out its recent acquisition of Adventure Bar Group (ABG).

Brewhouse & Kitchen expand into accommodation

11-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

A leading national operator has taken its first steps into providing an accommodation offer with the launch of a new site.

City Pub Group ‘significantly improved over the past year’ despite 57% revenue drop

11-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

Despite pandemic restrictions hitting its revenue for £34.2m in the 52 weeks ended 27 December 2020, City Pub Group is in an ‘excellent position’ as the country reopens according to its executive chairman.

MA’s review of the week

‘Pubs part of the problem’ mindset needs serious reassessment

07-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with the award-winning operator of the Lion in Treorchy to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

Adventure Bar acquired by Nightcap

04-May-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Recently formed hospitality group Nightcap has completed its second purchase by acquiring the owner of brands including Blame Gloria and Tonight Josephine, Adventure Bar Group.

Abé back in the pub with Blue Boar launch

30-Apr-2021 By Ed Bedington

Top chef Sally Abé is making a welcome return to the pub trade with the opening of the Blue Boar Pub this May.

MA’S REVIEW OF THE WEEK

‘We’re still feeling a bit like the fun police’

30-Apr-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser’s Ed Bedington spoke with Phil Thorley of Thorley Taverns to discuss the most recent on-trade news - including the latest on vaccine passports.

St Austell reopens managed pubs

30-Apr-2021 By MCA Insight

St Austell Brewery reopened 18 of its managed houses for outdoor service on 29 April, having made significant investments in its al fresco spaces.

Peach Pubs on the acquisition hunt after record-breaking reopening sales

27-Apr-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Peach has seen record-breaking sales figures since reopening for outside trading this month (April) and is looking to add a number of new sites to its existing portfolio over the next nine months.

Star to continue rent reductions in Scotland

27-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Star Pubs & Bars has said it will continue its rent reductions for its sites in Scotland, as the sector braces for the first week of trade after lockdown.

Everards sells 14 pubs to Hawthorn

27-Apr-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Hawthorn, the Community Pub Company, has purchased 14 sites from Everards for an undisclosed sum.

‘Number one priority is to restore the business’

26-Apr-2021 By Stuart Stone

Sharing a heartland with Covid-19’s ‘Kent variant’ has seen the vast majority of Shepherd Neame’s 300-odd sites shuttered for more than five months. As such, CEO Jonathan Neame is looking forward to what he believes will be a ‘very good summer’.

Adnams records £3.7m operating loss during pandemic year

23-Apr-2021 By Stuart Stone

Suffolk-based Adnams became the latest pub operator to post a pandemic loss during 2020, revealing that a swing of more than £4m landed it in the red.

Star responds to claims it urged licensees to push prices

22-Apr-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pubco Star Pubs & Bars has responded to reports it suggested lessees and tenants increase their prices amid reopening for outdoor areas this month.

Reopened Oakman pub takings up more than 50% on pre-pandemic sales

22-Apr-2021 By Stuart Stone

Hertfordshire-based multiple operator Oakman Group has revealed that sales during its first week of post-lockdown trade trump equivalent 2019 takings.

JDW to reopen further 44 pubs in England

21-Apr-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is preparing to reopen more pubs in England next week (Monday 26 April).

More than £10m swing sees Shepherd Neame record half-year loss

21-Apr-2021 By Stuart Stone

Kent-based family brewer and pub operator, Shepherd Neame, has revealed an underlying operating loss of £3.6m during the six months to 26 December 2020.

Opinion

‘Small steps, but good ones’ as pubs reopen for outdoor trading

19-Apr-2021 By Piers Baker, the Sun Inn, Dedham and Church Street Tavern, Colchester, both Essex

The first weekend went really well – we can seat around 75 in the garden and another 36 on the terrace and I'd say both were full from 2pm onwards.

Hawthorn eyes expansion to ‘at least double its estate’

15-Apr-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Off the back of its announcement to float on the stock market, Hawthorn has also revealed it is looking to significantly expand its portfolio.

Opinion

Reopening ‘a huge task’ that can only happen ‘when the time is right’

14-Apr-2021 By Kate Stewart, the Sandon, Liverpool

A finalist in the 2019 Great British Pub Awards’ and a must visit on Anfield matchdays, the Sandon Complex in Liverpool hasn’t reopened this week despite relaxed outdoor trading rules.

Hawthorn set to float on stock market as standalone business

14-Apr-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

NewRiver-owned pub group Hawthorn has announced plans to list on the stock market as a standalone quoted business.

Revolution: ‘Bring our ‘national day of freedom forward'

13-Apr-2021 By Stuart Stone

Revolution Bars Group chief executive, Rob Pitcher, has implored the Prime Minister to ‘follow the data, not dates’ and lift legal limits on social contact before Monday 21 June.

MA500

MA500 May 2021 agenda unveiled

12-Apr-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

The next MA500 conference is set to take place on Thursday 13 May and we can now reveal the topics we will cover at the online event.

The MA’s review of the week

Prime Minister still ‘a bit silent’ on pub trading from 21 June

09-Apr-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington spoke with Laine Pub Company boss Gavin George to discuss the most recent on-trade news.

Marston’s reveals 700 pubs to reopen from 12 April

07-Apr-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub company Marston’s will reopen about 70% of its managed and franchised estate with outdoor areas in England next week (on or around Monday 12 April).

MA's Review of the Week

'Sustainability more important than ever'

01-Apr-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington spoke with Darwin and Wallace boss Mel Marriott on the headlines of this week

Star defends decision to take back lease from long-standing licensees

01-Apr-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Star Pubs & Bars has responded to a petition, which calls upon the pubco to reverse its decision to take back the lease from current licensees at the Red Lion, Enfield Highway, north London, who have been at the site for almost two decades.

RedCat’s 42 pub package from Stonegate ‘first step to differentiated pub company’

31-Mar-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

The confirmation of investment vehicle RedCat’s acquisition of 42 pubs from Stonegate Pub Company for an undisclosed sum gets Rooney Anand’s venture off to 'an excellent start', he said.

Fuller’s seeks funds after Covid cash burn hits £5m per month

31-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Pub operator Fuller, Smith & Turner hopes to weather the ongoing Covid crisis by raising funds from the sale of Class A and Class B shares.

JDW to pump £895m in 168 new pubs and refurbishing existing sites

30-Mar-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub behemoth JD Wetherspoon is set to invest £895m in developing new sites alongside upgrading existing venues in its portfolio as part of a 10-year plan.

Drake & Morgan sees profits dip in run up to lockdown

29-Mar-2021 By Andrew Don, MCA

Drake & Morgan is hoping to rebuild the London-based bar and restaurant group with the easing of Covid-related restrictions, according to reports by MCA Insight.

MA's review of the week

Pubs will exit pandemic as a ‘more loved’ sector than we closed as

26-Mar-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Heydon Mizon, joint managing director at McMullen, to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

Ei rent credits to stop at end of June

26-Mar-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Tied Ei Publican Partnerships licensees on substantive agreements in England will receive rent credits until 20 June but The Morning Advertiser understands the credits will stop after this date.