Companies

Opinion

‘Freedom Day’: ‘After numerous false promises, I will only believe it once I see it’

08-Jul-2021 By Kate Stewart, the Sandon, Liverpool

Boris Johnson’s announcement on Monday (5 July) was obviously a positive one for the hospitality industry and many others who have been repeatedly devastated by the ongoing restrictions and lockdowns that have been imposed on our country.

JDW to increase food prices by 40p per meal

07-Jul-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub behemoth JD Wetherspoon will be increasing the price of its food by 40p per meal when the VAT rate increases to 12.5% later this year, it announced in a trading update.

Inception Group: isolating staff is 'number one concern'

07-Jul-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Recovery for Inception Group’s central London sites will not be “an overnight big bang,” according to the group’s co-founder.

Property round-up

Former Saracens teammates to open third venue, Filipino and Cuban concepts to open in London

07-Jul-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

The latest pub property round-up includes site news from Star Pubs & Bars, Admiral Taverns and Heartstone Inns, as well as an eclectic mix of new openings across the capital.

Local on-trade partnerships can stimulate ‘accelerated growth’ amid pandemic recovery

06-Jul-2021 By Stuart Stone

Smaller, like-minded, regional businesses joining forces will become a more common on-trade feature as the economy recovers from its Covid symptoms, according to Salcombe Brewery chairman John Tiner.

Petition to pay JDW staff double on bank holidays reaches 50k signatures

06-Jul-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

A petition to permit workers to earn double pay on bank holidays at JD Wetherspoon (JDW) pubs has received more than 50,000 signatures.

Opinion

Isolation notices: The shark in the shallows

06-Jul-2021 By Tim Tomlinson, operator of the White Cross, Merchants 1688, the Stonewall Tap, Lancaster, Lancashire

I am sure everyone in the sector is extremely happy about the news we will be allowed to open more or less as normal from 19 July.

Reopened Revolution Bars trading at 86% of 2019 levels during roadmap

05-Jul-2021 By Stuart Stone

Revolution Bars Group’s 66 sites have traded at almost 90% of 2019 levels since resuming indoor trade, according to an update ahead of the operator’s year end date on 3 July.

MA's Review of the Week

‘Staying open is a challenge’

02-Jul-2021 By Ed Bedington

This week’s headlines highlight the ongoing staffing challenges faced by the sector alongside closures of venues due to self-isolation. The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington also caught up with Alastair Scott, managing director of Catton Hospitality...

City Pub Group nears 2019 trading levels

28-Jun-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The City Pub Group has reported trading levels at 90% of 2019 levels since pubs opened after the third lockdown.

Exclusive

Wells & Co claimed almost £4m in furlough support

28-Jun-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Bedfordshire-based operator and brewer Wells & Co received £3.9m in furlough money across its UK and France portfolio, it has revealed.

ETM Group owners raise £4.3m to fund Maven Leisure sites

18-Jun-2021 By Emily Hawkins

ETM Group’s owners have raised a £4.3m fund to inject into central-London premium bars under the Maven Leisure group.

Rileys Sports Bars reports above expected trading

18-Jun-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Thirteen-strong multiple operator Rileys Sports Bars has announced growth of 9% compared to 2019 across its estate for the three weeks since reopening on Monday 17 May.

Indoor reopening helps Loungers to 26.6% sales boost

17-Jun-2021 By Stuart Stone

Nationwide café bar operator Loungers has reported that like-for-like sales during the four weeks from Monday 17 May were up 26.6% versus to the same period in 2019.

Real estate adviser appointed to sell 8 Marston's pubs for £21.6m

16-Jun-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Global real estate adviser CBRE has been appointed by Aviva Investors to sell a collection of Marston's sites worth more than £20m.

Opinion – Pride 2021

‘The role of LGBTQ venues within the community is more important than ever’

11-Jun-2021 By Scott Frankham, head of media at Greene King

I first paid a visit to an LGBTQ pub when I was 18 – I’d just moved to Birmingham to start university and I was introduced to the Village Inn, a central hub of Birmingham’s gay quarter.

Opinion

Post-lockdown pub sector presents ‘once in a decade opportunity’

11-Jun-2021 By Nigel Parson director, research, Finncap

The hospitality sector is on tenterhooks over the Government’s proposed roadmap out of lockdown on 21 June – dubbed ‘Freedom Day’ – according to Nigel Parson director, research, at strategic advisory and capital raising service provider Finncap.

BrewDog and pub partners pledge 15% carbon cut in the next year

09-Jun-2021 By Stuart Stone

Independent brewer and bar operator BrewDog has joined forces with hospitality businesses including Brewhouse & Kitchen, Urban Village Pubs and Pub Love to work towards a carbon neutral on-trade.

Drake & Morgan CVA approved

09-Jun-2021 By Stuart Stone

London-based cocktail bar and restaurant group Drake & Morgan’s creditors have approved a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) – with 90% voting in favour of proposals.

Nightcap trading ‘significantly ahead’ of expectations

09-Jun-2021 By Stuart Stone

The firm behind London Cocktail Club and the Adventure Bar Group has revealed post-lockdown revenues almost matched the figures recorded during equivalent weeks in 2019.

Big Interview

The fun of expanding: ‘It's our duty to take what we love and give it to more people'

08-Jun-2021 By Stuart Stone

Despite leading the Adventure Bar Group into uncharted territory – in every sense – during a transformative pandemic year, co-founder Tobias Jackson explains that with new owner Nightcap eyeing nationwide expansion it’s far from journey’s end.

‘Crucial’ that Gov bases decisions on science, not media speculation, says Hawthorn boss

03-Jun-2021 By Stuart Stone

Giving an update on the pub company’s performance, Hawthorn CEO Mark Davies has stressed the importance of an “evidence-based approach” to the lifting of pandemic restrictions on Monday 21 June.

Tim Martin claims most businesses would support visa system for EU workers

02-Jun-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) boss Tim Martin has suggested most hospitality firms would be likely to be in favour of a preferential visa scheme for European Union workers to tackle the recruitment issues in the sector.

MA's review of the week

Electric Star Pubs boss ‘not optimistic’ that the Government will intervene over sector rent debt

28-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Electric Star Pubs’ owner Rob Star to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

Oakman poised to ‘continue growth’ despite £13.9m loss in 2020

27-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

While the Oakman Group reported an EBITDA loss for 2020 of £2.6m and a total loss of £13.9m, its executive chairman believes the operator is ‘very well placed to take advantage of the strong consumer demand’.

Robinsons pub investment continues

26-May-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

North-west based brewer and operator Robinsons has invested millions into its pub estate amid the coronavirus crisis.

CVA approved for Greene King’s Loch Fyne business

26-May-2021 By Georgi Gyton, MCA

Greene King has had a CVA approved by creditors for its Loch Fyne business, according to reports by MCA Insight.

Property round-up

Revere Pub Company and Greedy Gordons Group grow, Sky News reports possible Hawthorn takeover

26-May-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

The latest property news from the pub sector includes new site updates from groups including Greedy Gordons and Revere Pub Company, as well as further news from ‘big six’ operators including Punch and Admiral.

Revolution gains ‘firepower’ after £21m fundraise

26-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

Revolution Bars Group is poised to emerge from the pandemic in a ‘strong position with a fit for purpose balance sheet’ following a successful £21m fundraise.

Hospitality job postings up by 46% amid indoor reopening

25-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs are desperately seeking more hands on deck with the number of new hospitality job vacancies rising by 46% in the past two weeks.

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’.

Greater Manchester 'used to uncertainty of shutdown rumours'

18-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs will be 'picked on straight away' should local lockdown restrictions be imposed on areas hit by coronavirus variants, one Greater Manchester operator has said.

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

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