PUBLICAN AWARDS 2026
VIDEO: Stars on show talk about Publican Awards and the future
As more than 1,500 guests flocked to The Publican Awards last week, we had a quick chat with a few of the operators and trade body representatives.
Events
PUBLICAN AWARDS 2026
Party pics - did our snappers get you?
As The Publican Awards ceremony drew to a close, there was still time to party.
Take advantage of Tyson Fury’s return to the ring
The return of Tyson Fury to the boxing ring is a great chance to increase footfall and takings at your pub or bar.
Gen Alpha set to reshape pub and bar expectations
Operators should start adapting now for Generation Alpha, with food, digital convenience and immersive experiences likely to play a bigger role in future venue strategy.
MA LEADERS CLUB
Inception co-founder: ‘Incredible opportunities’ for those seeking sites
Inception Group co-founder Charlie Gilkes has hailed the “incredible opportunities” available for sector bosses looking for sites.
Cheshire Cat and Common & Co scoop awards at NRB
Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars and Common & Co have scooped Special Achievement Awards at the Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) trade show in Manchester.
MA LEADERS CLUB
Joule’s MD: ‘Londoners might be shocked but we offer a pint for under £4’
Joule’s Brewery taphouses’ customers are demanding great value so while prices need to be low, the quality of what they receive must be excellent.
MA LEADERS CLUB
VIDEO: ‘Margins are squeezed but we’ve learned to be clever and tailor our cloth’
“VAT is top of the list for many people in this room” was the viewpoint of Butcombe Group COO Jayson Perfect at the latest MA Leaders Club gathering.
FA Cup football brings windfalls to pubs with successful local teams
FA Cup football has brought plenty of customers to pubs – particularly in places where football giant-killings have taken place.
GOOD NEWS ROUND-UP
THE GOOD NEWS: JDW hits £26m fundraising milestone
We acknowledge the sector is facing an extremely tough time with challenges left, right and centre.
FA Cup matches could be tonic for ‘tough month’ in pubs
As sport continues to drive trade in many pubs, publicans may be wise to sign up to TNT Sports after the broadcaster announced it will show 26 FA Cup matches in 10 days this month.
Freeze or fizz: Snowfall brings mixed fortunes for pubs
Weather warnings have been issued up and down the country as snow falls and temperatures plummet.
Tom Kerridge steps away from Pub in the Park as it moves in a ‘different direction’
Tom Kerridge is no longer involved with Pub in the Park after confirming the festival was ‘no longer heading in the same direction’ as his vision for the event.
FEATURE
FEATURE: Pubs get creative to boost trade with paint, fizz and fun
Amid changing consumer habits and rising overheads, pub teams are getting more creative to pull in customers with paint and fizz, craft clubs, murder-mystery events and much more.
BBPA pledges support for veterans with Armed Forces Covenant
Pubs and brewers across the UK are marking Remembrance Day by reaffirming their support for veterans and serving military personnel, as the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) officially signs the Armed Forces Covenant.
Meantime launches new site in style next door to The O2
Meantime Brewing Company and KG Hospitality launched their new venue – the Dial – next door to The O2 arena following a “significant seven-figure investment”.
GBPA finalist wins chef of the year award
Head chef and co-proprietor of the Black Bull gastropub in Cumbria – Nina Matsunaga – has been named Chef of the Year at the Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) awards.
CAMRA unveils final four in Pub of the Year competition
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has announced its four finalists as the best pubs in the UK while imploring the Government to treat pubs fairly in the upcoming Budget.
GREAT BRITISH PUB AWARDS 2025
VIDEO: GBPA 2025 winners share delight
The Great British Pub Awards is the pinnacle for pubs across the country – here’s a video showing what some of the winners had to say.
Pubs over the years: What were the news stories shaping the sector 5,10 and 15 years ago
The pub sector has faced a raft of challenges over recent years and never more so than the current climate.
Women’s Euros to provide £30m spend in sector within four days
Pubs can expect to see a huge slice of a £30m spend from football fans as England’s football Lionesses take part in the quarter finals stage of the European Championship.
Last call for pub crawls?
Is the pub crawl a thing of the past, or alive and well? In the season five finale, The Lock In team get their drinking boots on to investigate.
MA LEADERS CLUB
What is it like operating in Chester?
Chester was the destination of the MA Leaders Club earlier this month, and a panel of operators highlighted how the city is a good place to trade.
MA LEADERS CLUB
Finding investment for the pub sector
There have been no shortage of pubs finding it difficult to gain investment and the MA Leaders Club brought some lending experts together to discuss the scenario.
MA LEADERS CLUB
Operators give advice on growing a pub estate
An expert panel including operators from Chickpea Group, Blind Tiger Inns and a property director from Punch Pubs came together to give sage advice to members of the MA Leaders Club in Chester.
Punch refinancing highlights ongoing challenges for pubs
Punch Pubs’ refinancing deal shows the financial strain on the sector, financial experts have said, though the pubco remained positive.
BII Licensee of the Year 2025 finalists unveiled
The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has unveiled the six finalists for this year’s Licensee of the Year Award (LOYA).
Pubs reject Gov licensing extension for VE Day
Pub operators remain overwhelmingly underwhelmed by the Government decision to extend licensing hours to celebrate VE day.
Last chance to enter the Great British Pub Awards 2025
Entries for the 2025 Great British Pub Awards (GBPA) will close later today (Tuesday May 6).
Celebrating five years of community heroes
Pubs have always been at the heart of their communities, but some go above and beyond to make a real difference.
The trends 7 of the best from BrewLDN are seeing
The Morning Advertiser popped its beer (and cider) jeans on to visit BrewLDN festival on Friday (11 April) to find out what is trending currently.
Will Rice’s ‘meteoric rise’ at Heineken UK
Will Rice entered the world of work through the graduate programme at L’Oreal, on its commercial management trainee scheme, before spending two years as the national account manager to Tesco.
‘It’s a tough time but openness is important in the world’
Operators shared why they felt fostering community within pubs is important and how this could help unite people in the on trade.
The Pony completes five-year transformation
The extensive project included a revamped menu emphasising produce from their kitchen garden and local farms.
300-year-old pub urgently calls for volunteers
A community-owned pub support group is in immediate need of volunteer help to reopen in the summer.
Sector braces for £3.4bn cost hike
Hospitality businesses are facing a substantial financial blow today (Tuesday 1 April), with annual cost increases totalling £3.4bn coming into effect.
Shepherd Neame reopens historic pub after £1.2m refurbishment
A milestone was marked at Shepherd Neame’s Westminster Arms site with its official reopening on Tuesday 25 March.
Spring weather and events boost on-premise drinks sales
Sales surged in on-premise venues and suppliers experienced robust growth in drinks sales during March
‘No news just means bad news is coming’
Operators have expressed their fears for the industry following the Chancellor’s announcements last Wednesday.
Loungers celebrates 250th opening
Loungers has hit a milestone achievement and opened Rivolo Lounge in Norwich.
PUBLICAN AWARDS 2025
‘Show the Gov these awards to prove importance of sector’
Some of the sector’s brightest lights came out for the Publican Awards and explained why the event is the must-attend night of the year.
Pub helps support local people overcome loneliness
Operators of a rural pub have shared plans to unite their local community members.
SPRING STATEMENT 2025
Chancellor fails to address VAT pleas
Despite numerous calls for reduction in VAT throughout hospitality, Chancellor Rachel Reeves did not address these in the Spring Statement
National Pubwatch awards individuals for bravery and best practice
National Pubwatch has recognised an array of individuals within the late-night hospitality sector.
Hospitality sector braces for tough year amid rising costs and reduced relief
Increased cost prices and reductions in business rates relief have caused deep concern for hospitality business owners.
MA LEADERS CLUB
Past 20 months have been ‘hardest of past 20 years’
The past 20 months have been the toughest period for hospitality in the past 20 years but there are opportunities for expansion.
Concerns raised about city’s ‘After Dark’ strategy
The new initiative aims to create a safer and more inclusive late-night environment within Westminster.
Government risks ‘prosperity postcode lottery’ with new economic focus
UKHospitality (UKH) has said the Government’s focus on economic growth risks creating a “prosperity postcode lottery”.
BBPA: Budget changes could push average pint price above £5
The average price of a pint in the UK has been predicted to rise by as much as 21p, potentially exceeding £5, due to upcoming Budget changes.
‘Pubs belong to people and the communities they’re in’
A Nottingham man has set off around the UK with aims of visiting every pub.