Companies

Spirit launches apprenticeship team

19-Nov-2014 By Helen Gilbert

Spirit Pub Company has appointed a new team to deliver its award-winning apprenticeship scheme.

Enterprise converting failing pubs into shops

19-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Enterprise Inns has revealed it has converted 22 pubs to convenience stores and will continue to look at this operating model as an alternative to disposals.

Punch abandons focus on food revenue

19-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Punch Taverns executive chairman Stephen Billingham said the company has abandoned its target of food sales making up 35% of its tenants’ revenue.

Full-year profits flat at Enterprise Inns

18-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Enterprise Inns has reported like-for-like net income growth of 1.4% for the year ending 30 September – up 0.5% in the final quarter.

Punch responds to 'unfounded claims' from tenants

18-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch Taverns has responded to what it calls “unfounded claims” from its tenants, after it was accused in a number of evidence statements to the pubs code Bill.

Redcomb Pubs eyeing a war chest of £15m

18-Nov-2014 By Ruth Williams, M&C Report

Redcomb Pubs, the operator run by Dan Shotton and Mark Draper, has a war chest of £5m and is “aggressively” looking to acquire pubs while seeking £10m through the Enterprise Investment Scheme to build an estate of 25 in five years.

More pub chefs to appear on MasterChef: The Professionals

17-Nov-2014 By James Evison

The pub chefs featuring in this week’s heats of BBC Two’s MasterChef: the Professionals have been announced.

Eclectic mix of pubs added to latest Michelin guide

17-Nov-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

A village-owned pub, two Great British Pub Award (GBPA) regional winners and a north London venue praised by Tom Kerridge are just some of the 70 newcomers to the latest Michelin pub guide.

Greene King to support Text Santa charity appeal

14-Nov-2014 By Ruth Williams, M&C Report

Greene King has announced it will support ITV’s Text Santa fundraising appeal by hosting pub quizzes across the country.

Great British Bake Off star and Chef & Brewer in hunt for UK’s best pudding

13-Nov-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

Great British Bake Off finalist Richard Burr has teamed up with Spirit Pub Company brand Chef & Brewer to search for the UK’s best pudding.

Franca Knowles: Family pay tribute

13-Nov-2014 By James Wallin

Keith Knowles, chief executive of Beds & Bars, and his family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of tributes to Franca Knowles, who sadly passed away on Friday 7 November. Franca died surrounded by her family, after...

Spirit lessees 'in the dark' as Greene King moves to buy pubco

13-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Spirit Pub Company lessees claim they are in the dark over whether Greene King’s proposed takeover will have an impact on their rent and product agreements.

Faucet Inn to debut all-day dining concept Neighbourhood

12-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

London-based multiple operator Faucet Inn will open the first of its all-day dining concept, Neighbourhood, in Stratford City on 22 November.

Dealing with Enterprise Inns: A cautionary tale

12-Nov-2014 By A licensee

I’ve always wanted to run my own pub! “Can we? Can we? Can we?” I excitedly asked the other-half. There are lots of pubs available in our area! Really cheap(ish) too! Enterprise Inns seem like a well respected company, let’s have a look……

Punch roadshow success 'reflects improving relationship with licensees’

12-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Punch Taverns said its 2014 nationwide roadshow has been the most successful tour in their 11-year history, after more than 2,300 licensees attended the event.

JD Wetherspoon reveals poor drink sales at motorway site

12-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has admitted drink sales have been poor at its first motorway services site because ‘people just want a coffee’.

October sales up 4.1% in London pubs but flat elsewhere

12-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Like-for-like sales at pubs and restaurants across the country grew by 2.2% in October, but were eclipsed by the 4.1% hike inside the M25, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker data.

Pubs fight for the Millenial market

12-Nov-2014 By Mike Berry

Pubs are facing stiff competition when it comes to securing the disposable cash of leisure seekers. Mike Berry studies a new Carlsberg survey on what people want from their pub visits.

The Stable secures Plymouth site

12-Nov-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

The Stable, the South West-based craft cider and pizza restaurant business in which Fuller’s owns a 51% stake, will open its next site, its eighth in Plymouth next spring.

Full-year net income up 1.3% at Punch

12-Nov-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Punch Taverns has this morning reported a 1.3% rise in like-for-like net income across its 2,925-strong core estate – which marks five consecutive quarters of growth, and said it could now focus on improving its business through investment in its pubs...

Greene King chief says Spirit bid is 'transformational deal'

10-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Greene King chief executive, Rooney Anand, has described the company’s bid for Spirit Pub Company as a “transformational deal” that will “create the UK’s leading pub company”.

M&B gift cards now available in big four supermarkets

10-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Mitchells & Butlers has rolled out its Dining Out gift card scheme to more than 2,000 supermarkets across the UK.

Yorkshire pub installs heated beach huts to drive custom

10-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

An Enterprise Inns pub has installed three heated beach huts for drinking and dining as part of a £250,000 investment.

Luminar acquires Chicago Leisure

10-Nov-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Luminar, the UK’s largest late-night operator, has acquired the eight-strong Chicago Leisure business from Sun Capital Partners for an undisclosed sum.

St Austell opens new craft beer and smokehouse concept

07-Nov-2014 By Mike Berry

St Austell Brewery has opened its new Samuel Jones pub-restaurant on Exeter quayside.

Pub chefs compete in new series of MasterChef: The Professionals 2014

07-Nov-2014 By Jo Bruce

Eight pub chefs are featuring in the new series of BBC Two’s MasterChef: the Professionals.

Fuller’s names its Pub of the Year

07-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Andover Arms in Brackenbury Village, London, has been named Fuller’s Pub of the Year.

McMullen awards top managed pubs

06-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

McMullen, the Hertfordshire-based family brewer and pub company, has recognised its top performing managed houses in its annual awards ceremony.

Cider maker Thatchers to open managed pub

06-Nov-2014 By Mike Berry

Somerset-based cider maker Thatchers is to make its first foray into the managed pub sector by directly running the Railway Inn, adjacent to its farm in Sandford, north Somerset.

New Moon in talks over second Beef & Pudding in Chester

05-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

New Moon Pub Company is close to agreeing a deal for its second Beef & Pudding site, this time in Chester, the Publican's Morning Advertiser's sister title M&C Report understands.

Punch Taverns rolls out two new formats

04-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Punch Taverns is rolling out two new retail formats, which it says will allow it to “become more involved with the running of some sites”.

Punch tenant awarded undisclosed damages in latest PICA-Service case

04-Nov-2014 By Mike Berry

Damages have been awarded against Punch Taverns for breaches of its code of practice following the latest case to go through the Pubs Independent Conciliation & Arbitration Service (PICA-Service).

Greene King and Spirit agree £773.6m deal

04-Nov-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Greene King and Spirit have announced that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended offer, which will see the former acquire the latter in a £773.6m deal and create a 3,127-strong pub company.

Camerons targets 20 managed sites by next year

04-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Camerons, the Hartlepool-based brewer and pub operator, is aiming to grow its managed estate to 20 next year, with new sites planned for both its Head of Steam and Blue Lounge Pub & Kitchen brands.

Newcastle 'could face legal challenge' over JDW hours refusal

03-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The decision by Newcastle City Council to refuse JD Wetherspoon’s application to reduce its hours to dodge the city’s late night levy is likely to be overturned if there is a legal challenge, industry lawyers have claimed.

Michelin Pub of the Year 2015: winning insights

03-Nov-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

The manager of the newly crowned Michelin Pub of the Year 2015 believes his venue’s special atmosphere helped win it the honour.

Spirit becomes first pubco to offer Estrella Galicia 0.0 on tap

03-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Spirit has become the first pubco to take on draught alcohol-free beer, Estrella Galicia 0.0.

CAMRA says Scotland needs its own pubs code

31-Oct-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

The Campaign for Real Ale has called on the Scottish Government to introduce its own pubs code and adjudicator.

Wild Rabbit wins Michelin Pub of the Year 2015

31-Oct-2014 By Jo Bruce

The Wild Rabbit in Kingham, Oxfordshire has been named the Pub of the Year 2015 in the new Michelin Eating Out In Pubs Guide.

CPL Online and Carlsberg launch new social media training for licensees

31-Oct-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

CPL Online has partnered with Carlsberg to launch a course designed at teaching licensees how to utilise social media.

Amber Taverns follows twin-track growth

30-Oct-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Amber Taverns managing director James Baer has told the Publican's Morning Advertiser's sister title M&C Report the company is building its high street portfolio.

Founders of social network Bebo buy north Devon pub

30-Oct-2014 By James Evison

The founders of social networking site Bebo have bought a dilapidated pub in Devon which they aim to refurbish alongside a local manor house.

BrewDog to expand brewery but 'we're still tiny'

30-Oct-2014 By James Wallin

BrewDog, the Scottish brewer and pub operator, has announced expansion plans, including a new 300hl brew-house at its headquarters in Ellon, near Aberdeen.

Greene King gets Spirit bid extension

30-Oct-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Spirit Pub Company has announced that it remains in talks with Greene King regarding the terms of a possible offer for the company, but has agreed an extension for these discussions to continue to 4 November.

Operator slams Met police after losing £200k due to 'misleading' evidence

30-Oct-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A London operator has hit out at the Metropolitan police after misleading evidence led to the seven-month closure of his nightclub and the loss of an estimated £200,000.

Free water in pubs scheme launched ‘to reduce alcohol-related A&E visits’

29-Oct-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

West Sussex pubs, clubs and bars are being encouraged to become ‘water angels’ to help reduce alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and A&E visits.

North London pub to host mental health drop-in centre

29-Oct-2014 By Mike Berry

A north London licensee has teamed up with a mental health charity to host a drop-in centre in the pub for local youngsters.

Bullseye for Chelmsford pub at Punch darts competition

29-Oct-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The Blue Lion in Chelmsford has been crowned the winner of Punch Taverns’ darts competition.

Flaming Grill on search for worst football team

28-Oct-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Spirit Pub Company brand Flaming Grill is on the hunt for football teams that are “more Sunday League zero than Premiership hero” as it aims to crown the UK’s worst football teams.