Companies

Star Pubs and Weston Castle look to expand partnership

06-Feb-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Star Pubs & Bars expects to work with North West-based multiple operator Weston Castle on up to another seven sites over the next year, the PMA's sister title M&C Report has learnt.

CAMRA defends decision to honour Andrew Griffiths

05-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) national chairman Colin Valentine has defended the group’s decision to name Andrew Griffiths MP Parliamentarian of the Year, stating that the views of a “small number of people” who sought to tarnish the trophy are “not...

VIDEO

VIDEO: Top 50 Gastropubs No. 1 - the Sportsman, Kent

05-Feb-2015 By James Evison

The Publican's Morning Advertiser caught up with Top 50 Gastropubs winner, Stephen Harris, tenant and chef at Shepherd Neame's The Sportsman in Seasalter, Kent.

My Pub

My Pub: Friends of Ham, Leeds

05-Feb-2015 By Sheila McWattie

Combining a love of charcuterie and cheese with a passion for artisan beers has seen Anthony Kitching and his wife Claire establish the lauded Friends of Ham in the centre of Leeds. 

Event ideas

The mothership has landed

05-Feb-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

Five ways to succeed with Mother’s Day

My pub: Late Knights Brewery & 5 pubs

05-Feb-2015 By Sheila McWattie

Late Knights Brewery boss Steve Keegan has worked in the trade since he was 14. Sheila McWattie finds out how hard work has led to his continued success.

BBPA Running A Pub guide: Operating costs rise again

05-Feb-2015 By Mike Berry

Total operating costs of running tenanted and leased pubs increased last year — with rises across all types of pub businesses, according to the British Beer & Pub Association’s (BBPA) latest Running a Pub benchmarking survey of companies representing...

Enterprise to review investment plans due to pubs code uncertainty

05-Feb-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Enterprise Inns has reported like-for-like net income growth of 0.3% for the 18 weeks to 31 January and confirmed it is reviewing its capital investment plans because of uncertainty over the pubs code.

Irish government announces alcohol minimum pricing plan

04-Feb-2015 By Mike Berry

Ireland is set to introduce alcohol minimum pricing after its government signed off proposals included in a new public health bill.

Redtooth pub poker tournament to begin this month

04-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

More than 1,000 pubs across the UK will take part in the Redtooth Poker League, which begins this month to determine the country’s best pub poker players.

Nightclub in cumulative impact zone granted 6am licence

04-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

A Lincolnshire nightclub has been granted a 6am licence after winning an appeal – despite the fact it is situated in a cumulative impact zone.

Fuller's enjoys two bumper Christmases

04-Feb-2015 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Fuller’s chief executive Simon Emeny has said that the company has enjoyed two bumper Christmases, which saw like-for-like sales rise 15% over the period.

Tenant slams Punch for lack of support

04-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

A Punch Taverns tenant has hit out at the lack of support from the pub company six months after his outlet was named Best Partnership Pub in the North West at the Great British Pub Awards.

Molson Coors launches Wi-Fi portal

03-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Molson Coors has launched a new cloud-based Wi-Fi system for its partner pubs to help drive sales.

Bitters 'N' Twisted to open eighth Birmingham venue

03-Feb-2015 By Daniel Woolfson

New bistro, coffee and cocktail bar Marmalade is set to open at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Friday 6 February.

Punch plans to expand Mighty Local model

03-Feb-2015 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Punch Taverns believes there is potential to convert “hundreds” of its sites — both across its core and turnaround estate — to its fledgling wet-led community local model, Mighty Local, subject to clarity on the market rent only option (MRO), the Publican's...

CPL chief Dan Davies named new IoL chair

02-Feb-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Daniel Davies, chief executive of CPL Training Group, has been appointed the new chairman of the Institute of Licensing.

New book offers '27 golden rules for a successful food business'

02-Feb-2015 By Daniel Woolfson

Hospitality consultant Ali Carter has launched a new book aimed at food-led pubs.

Eight pub operators shortlisted for Sustainable Restaurant Awards 2015

02-Feb-2015 By Daniel Woolfson

Eight pub operators have made the shortlist for the Sustainable Restaurant Awards 2015.

St Austell honours top performing pubs

02-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

St Austell Brewery has honoured its most dedicated licensees at its annual Tribute Estate Awards.

Discount-hungry customers biggest challenge for operators

02-Feb-2015 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Discount driven customers are the top challenge for the eating and drinking our sector, according to a new survey.

Government rules out tougher drink driving limit in England

02-Feb-2015 By Helen Gilbert

The Government has confirmed it has no plans to follow in the footsteps of Scotland and reduce the drink-drive limit in England.

WSTA: Wine replaces beer as UK's favourite alcoholic drink

02-Feb-2015 By Helen Gilbert

A glass of wine has replaced a pint of beer as the nation’s favourite tipple, according to research commissioned by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

Beers made with British hops to star in Wetherspoon beer festival

01-Feb-2015 By Robyn Black

Ten overseas brewers, 50 beers and 22 different hop varieties will feature in a 17 day JD Wetherspoon beer festival this spring.

Kit

Tools of the trade: Top 50 Gastropubs edition

30-Jan-2015 By Daniel Woolfson

Three Top 50 Gastropubs winning chefs tell Daniel Woolfson about their culinary weapons of choice.

The real 'beer goggles'? Eye-tracking technology used on pump clips

30-Jan-2015 By Helen Gilbert

A university lecturer has given new meaning to the phrase ‘beer googles’ by using eye-tracking technology to determine how punters pick their pint.

BBPA: Pub beer sales decline by only 0.8% in 2014

30-Jan-2015 By Mike Berry

Overall beer sales are up for the first time in 10 years off the back of two successive duty cuts - but sales in pubs are still in decline, according to the latest Beer Barometer figures.

WSTA calls on political parties to support wine and spirit industry

29-Jan-2015 By Mike Berry

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has today published its general election manifesto, calling on the UK’s political parties to commit to policies that will help the wine and spirit industry to grow, tackle alcohol related harm and promote responsible...

Team UK comes tenth whilst Norway triumphs in Bocuse d'Or 2015

29-Jan-2015 By Daniel Woolfson

Britain finished in tenth place at the world final of the Bocuse d’Or 2015, held in Lyon, France on Wednesday 28 January.

Tom Kerridge: Dining at the top Gastropub table

29-Jan-2015 By Tom Kerridge

The Top 50 Gastropubs is - in my opinion - the best awards ceremony in the pubs sector.

News profile

Anthony Pender: Chairman, British Institute of Innkeeping

29-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Yummy Pub Company managing director Anthony Pender took on the role of chairman at the BII in November and is now looking towards the future to make sure the organisation remains a force for training future stars in the hospitality sector. Ellie Bothwell...

Pubcos warned over compliance with Industry Framework Code

29-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Pub companies are increasingly waiving business plans when granting new lease and tenancy agreements, resulting in them being non-compliant with the Industry Framework Code (IFC), according to a new report from the Pub Governing Body (PGB).

JDW's Tim Martin slams PMA editor's 'bizarre piece of journalism'

28-Jan-2015 By Tim Martin

Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, has written an open letter to Rob Willock, editor of the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, in response to his article last week.

Spirit's new lease deal 'offers lower-risk option' for landlords and tenants

28-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Spirit Leased’s new turnover-based rent deal has been praised by one operator who says it offers a mutually beneficial and lower-risk option for both landlords and tenants.

Maclay Group placed into administration

27-Jan-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Scottish pub and bar operator, the Maclay Group has been placed into administration after the company’s directors admitted failing to find a “strategic solution to the financial pressures facing the business”.

Top 50 Gastropubs: Interactive Map

27-Jan-2015 By James Evison

The Publican's Morning Advertiser has compiled an interactive map of the location of all 50 winners of the Budweiser Budvar Top 50 Gastropubs of the year - see below.

Majority of drivers favour tougher drink driving limit

27-Jan-2015 By Mike Berry

British drivers want to see tougher drink driving limits and more severe punishments, a new survey suggests.

Fringe party calls for pub trade election support

27-Jan-2015 By Mike Berry

With the General Election now just 100 days away, a fledgling political party is calling on support from the trade for its pro-pub policies.

Albion Ventures reviews options for Bravo Inns

27-Jan-2015 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Albion Ventures, the investment vehicle, is reviewing its options with regards to Bravo Inns, the Cheshire-based pub company led by Ken Buckley.

Sports Bar & Grill sites achieve record sales

27-Jan-2015 By M&C Report

Bar Holdings Ltd, the owner of the multi-award-winning Sports Bar & Grill restaurant group, has announced that all four of its restaurants with historical comparisons achieved record sales in 2014.

Northern Ireland pub takes title in Best Breakfast Awards 2015

26-Jan-2015 By Jo Bruce

The Speckled Hen, in Lisburn, Northern Ireland has won the Best Pub category in the Best Breakfast Awards 2015.

Budweiser Budvar Top 50 Gastropub Awards 2015: winner’s reaction

26-Jan-2015 By Jo Bruce

The chef/patron of the top pub in the Budweiser Budvar Top 50 Gastropub Awards has spoken of his delight on winning the award.

Award-winning manager of the Ship in Wandsworth to exit pub

26-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Oisin Rogers, the award-winning manager of the Young’s-owned Ship in Wandsworth, south-west London, is leaving the pub after nine years in order to pursue “another project” with the pub company.

Perceptions chair Keith Knowles slams career advice as 'fundamentally flawed'

23-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Perceptions Group chairman Keith Knowles has slammed career advice in the UK as “fundamentally flawed”, after a recent House of Commons report claimed that too many young people are falling “off the radar”.

M&B fined £1.5m after Christmas Day food poisoning prosecution

23-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Managed pub operator Mitchells and Butlers (M&B) has been fined £1.5m following its conviction of a food hygiene offence which led to the death of a customer.

Rare collection of vintage pub posters found

23-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

A rare collection of British beer marketing posters dating back to the 1950s have been discovered in Kent – including one featuring a copy of the Morning Advertiser.

Star gastro chef to lead Team UK at Bocuse d'Or world final

22-Jan-2015 By Daniel Woolfson

Gastropub chef Adam Bennett will compete in the world final of the culinary Olympics, the Bocuse d’Or, on Tuesday 27 January.

Majority of consumers 'reluctant to try new alcoholic drinks'

22-Jan-2015 By James Wallin

Almost eight out of 10 drinkers rarely or never try new alcoholic drinks according to research by Canadean which shows that 77% of out-of-home drinkers eschewing new products and 32% opting for brands they know and trust.

Spirit Leased to rollout turnover-based rent deal

22-Jan-2015 By Rob Willock

Spirit Leased is to make its turnover-based rent deal the norm for new tenants and lessees as the company looks to move “from the Premier League to the Champions League”, the Publican's Morning Advertiser's sister title M&C Report understands.

New EPOS tills for Star lessees

22-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Star Pubs & Bars is providing new lessees with Cloud-based till systems enabling them to generate and view all financial reports whenever and wherever they want.