Storm Darragh takes blame for slump in drinks sales
Storm Darragh has been singled out as a major factor on falling drinks sales in pubs and bars in the first two weeks of December.
News
THE LOW & NO PROJECT
The difference between no alcohol and low alcohol
Often a confusing factor in the drinks sphere, Diageo GB has told The Morning Advertiser what the difference is between the two facets of ‘low’ and ‘no’ alcohol beverages.
New Year’s Eve celebrations could provide £505m boost for sector
New Year’s Eve celebrations could boost the hospitality sector by £505m, new data has revealed.
Water bills to rise by 42% for businesses
Ofwat’s £104bn plan to improve water companies’ services will see bills rise by 42% for businesses over the next five years, adding further “barriers to growth” for hospitality.
Upham Inns posts revenue rise in annual report
Upham Inns has posted a boost in revenue and gross profit in its results for the financial year ended 31 March 2024, citing a “noticeable improvement” during the second half of the period.
Diageo and Bacardi-Martini among those awarded Royal Warrants
Diageo and Bacardi-Martini have been awarded a Royal Warrant by His Majesty The King.
Industry expresses its hopes and fears for the year ahead
The Morning Advertiser spoke to a range of industry leaders to get their take on what 2025 might hold in store.
Marston’s increases price of draught beer
Marston’s has announced plans to increase the cost of a pint of draught beer at its pubs by 10p.
On-trade sales volumes slump post-Budget
Hospitality is suffering since the Budget announcement at the end of October, according to real time market intelligence platform Oxford Partnership.
Darts players sponsorship gifted to PubAid
Not-for-profit organisation PubAid has been gifted shirt sponsorship of three players in the ongoing PDC World Darts Championship by Sky Business.
CAMRA stalwarts pass away
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is mourning the loss of two of its key pioneers who championed beer festivals and independent brewers.
Interest rates hold ‘disappointing’ for hospitality firms
The Bank of England (BoE) has held interest rates at 4.75% for the second time in a row.
UTILITY UPDATE WITH NATIONWIDE ENERGY
Ofgem extends protection measures for hospitality businesses
On Thursday 19 December, Ofgem extended key consumer protections, currently available to micro-businesses, to small businesses.
How to survive 2025!
With the year ahead looming, the Lock In team spoke to a range of experts on what to expect from 2025.
DISH DECONSTRUCTED
How to make: Clam arancini balls with Parmesan and Ricotta
In this week’s Dish Deconstructed, the Burleigh Arms in Cambridge shares the secrets behind its popular clam arancini balls with Parmesan and Ricotta.
Stonegate takes 2024 investment past the £100m mark
New openings and a multitude of revamps by Stonegate Group has seen the pubco invest more than £100m into its 4,500-site estate during 2024.
The Burnt Chef Project Mental health heroes Awards returns
The Burnt Chef Project has announced it will run its Mental Health Heroes awards for a second year following its successful inaugural event.
Guinness supply issues ongoing to end of December with “phased replenishment” in Jan
Guinness supply challenges are set to continue through to the end of December, Diageo has revealed in an update to customers.
FEATURE
FEATURE: Post-Christmas promotions to beat January blues
Some of the best operators in the industry have revealed their secrets when it comes to maintaining good trade after the festive rush.
Rising inflation creating a ‘troubling economic picture’
Uninspiring growth figures and “disappointing” inflation rates have created a “troubling economic picture”, trade bodies have said.
Heineken flouts advertising rules with alcohol-free beer promotion
Drinks company Heineken UK has been ordered not to repeat an advertisement showing F1 driver Max Verstappen with its alcohol-free beer in its current form.
Carlsberg’s takeover of Britvic cleared by regulator
Carlsberg’s £3.3bn takeover of Britvic will complete next month after being cleared by Britain’s competition regulator.
Firms record real-terms growth for first time in six months
Hospitality groups recorded real-terms growth for the first time since June in November.
NEOS boosts NTE confidence with £2.5m investment
NEOS Hospitality’s £2.5m refurb plans for an “iconic” Bristol venue have boosted night-time economy (NTE) confidence.
OPINION
OPINION: Using staff to drive sales and enhance customer experience
As operators navigate today’s challenging environment, further compounded by the loss of almost 16,000 on-trade sites since March 2020[1], it has never been so important for outlets to use every tool in their armoury to drive sales through the till.
Hospitality insolvencies hit a two-year low
Hospitality insolvencies hitting a two-year low is an “early Christmas present” for operators, audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK has said.
UKH encouraged by lack of tourist tax in devolution plan
UKHospitality (UKH) has hailed the absence of introducing a tourist tax in the Government’s devolution white paper plans.
THE LOW & NO PROJECT
Woodforde’s releases first alcohol-free beer
Woodforde’s Brewery has entered the low & no alcohol category with the launch of Volt 0.5.
DRINKS MASTERCLASS
How to make a James Gin ‘Bloody May’ cocktail
In this week’s Drinks Masterclass James Gin head of sales Matt Mckee shares how to make a Bloody Mary with a gin twist.
Liberation Group rebrands as Butcombe Group
Liberation Group has announced plans to rebrand to Butcombe Group to “align with its strategic priorities”.
THE LOW & NO PROJECT
Thornbridge introduces alcohol-free version of Jaipur
Derbyshire brewery Thornbridge has expanded its low and no beer range with the introduction of an alcohol-free version of its flagship brew.
300m Xmas pint sales predicted but pubs to make pennies
Pubs make “pennies” from beer sales as new figures predict 300m pints could be sold across the sector in December, pouring £3.3bn into the economy.
FEATURE
FEATURE: Boost your sales this Christmas with higher quality low & no products
No other drinks category has seen such a drastic and positive transformation in recent years as low & no alcohol.
LICENSING HUB: LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN
Update on Martyn’s Law
It was in April 2024 when I last provided a detailed update on Martyn’s Law and a lot has happened since then.
THE CASK PROJECT
How cask ale performed this year and what lies ahead in 2025
Cask saw a shift towards lower ABV, traditional and independent brewers in 2024 while real ale pubs gained a more “inclusive” reputation.
REVIEW OF THE WEEK
‘What is going on with Guinness?!’
The Morning Advertiser’s Ed Bedington caught up with award-winning operator Emma Gibbon of the Plough and the Hewlett in Cheltenham to get her take on the week’s events.
A community Christmas at the Bevy
The Bevendean Cooperative pub is dedicated to supporting its local community, especially during the Christmas period.
GDP figures 'extremely worrying' for sector
October’s GDP figures have been described as ‘extremely worrying’ for the sector as dwindling consumer confidence continues to impact pubs following the autumn Budget.
EXCLUSIVE
City pub introduces Guinness 'ration cards'
A London pub has introduced ‘ration cards’ for customers as Guinness shortages continue to impact the on-trade.
Unite secures recognition agreement for members at Camden Town Brewery
Unite the Union has claimed it has secured formal recognition for its members at Camden Town Brewery’s Enfield facility.
Proper Pubs donates thousands of advent calendars to community groups
Proper Pubs, the community wet-led division of Admiral Taverns, has collected more than 16,000 advent calendars to donate to community groups.
NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP
Kopparberg unveils new cider flavour
This month’s edition of The Morning Advertiser’s new products round-up includes Kopparberg, Adnams, Dutch Barn Vodka and James May Gin.
THE LOW & NO PROJECT
Low & no drinkers are a key part of socialising groups now
Low & no drinks have become a key part of socialising when it comes to groups visiting the on-trade and consuming drinks with and without alcohol.
Non-Domestic Rating Bill is a ‘sticking plaster’ for business rates issues
Business rates have continued to be a “barrier to investment” for the hospitality sector, leaving pubs “uniquely disadvantaged”, industry leaders told the Non-Domestic Rating Bill Committee.
C&C Group appoints Roger White as new CEO
Drinks business C&C Group has appointed Roger White as its new CEO, who will start work in the role on 20 January 2025.
ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS: The allure of Guinness
Following reports Guinness manufacturer Diageo is struggling to fulfil supplies to pubs across Great Britain, The Morning Advertiser (The MA) looks at what the appeal is when it comes to the famed pint of ‘the black stuff’.
Welsh Budget provides 'lifeline' for hospitality firms
The measures announced in the Welsh Budget provided a “lifeline” for hospitality firms but long-term business rates reformation must be introduced, trade bodies have said.
Myth buster aims to reveal the truth about England’s oldest pubs
The title of oldest pub in England is under scrutiny after a new book from a leading buildings archaeologist cast doubt on the claims of a number of well known contenders.
HIT Training unveils new apprenticeship programme
Hospitality and catering training provider HIT Training has introduced a new tailored Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship.
BIG INTERVIEW
BIG INTERVIEW: ‘Cask is in our veins’ says Hook Norton boss
We can’t change the past, but we can invest in people to inspire the next generation and shape the future.