Opinion & Interviews

Cornerstones of our lives: pubs provide a vital and ongoing role in their communities

OPINION

OPINION: Everlasting appeal of the pub

By Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser

Having recently spoken to a number of celebrity pub operators (all right two and a half), it’s a timely reminder that pubs retain a special place at the heart of this country.

Cask thoughts: Tim Bird met with Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt off the back of his previous opinion article on The MA

OPINION

OPINION: Pubs cannot afford to fail the ale test

By Tim Bird, owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns

It has been a busy time since my last ‘Opinion’ article when I shared my concerns that, as an industry, we are at times a little too ‘doom and gloom’ and raised the question as to whether we are asking Government for too many things to help our cause.

Alastair Scott talks about improving on Mother's Day

OPINION

OPINION: Mum’s the word

By Alastair Scott, owner of Malvern Inns and CEO of S4labour

During the past 10 years, we have been trying to get Mother’s Day right and I am still not sure we have.

Demand for parity: SIBA CEO Andy Slee says investors and Government are not listening to the sector

OPINION

OPINION: How are we viewed by the outside world?

By Andy Slee, chief executive, Society of Independent Brewers & Associates (SIBA)

I recently took a call from a broadsheet journalist wanting to do a piece on “Why all breweries are closing and why cask beer is dead?”

Hop in your DeLorean: Adam Mayers is going Back to the Future

BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: Expect the unexpected

By Gary Lloyd

No one expects a pub boss to talk about TV shows and films from the 1980s but Hydes Brewery managing director Adam Mayers does.

Pub operators urged to look for positives

OPINION

Trading is tough but we need to start sharing the positives

By Ed Bedington

It’s a little too easy to allow ourselves to wallow in pessimism, (particularly when you record a podcast with a fully qualified professional moaner), but sometimes we need to take a step back and appreciate some of the positives out there.

Overcome challenges: NTIA CEO Michael Kill says collaboration is key to addressing late-night economy issues

OPINION

OPINION: Early closing taking a toll on night-time economy

By Michael Kill, CEO, Night-TIme Industries Association (NTIA)

The current economic environment is steering businesses, particularly pubs, to close earlier, sparking concerns about the future of the night-time economy.

The right stuff: branded glassware has been designed to increase the enjoyment of that particular beer or range

OPINION

OPINION: A touch of glass in elevating beer

By Georgina Young, brewing director and head brewer, St Austell Brewery

The hot topic of glassware came up recently on The Morning Advertiser’s Lock In podcast – touching on whether it’s OK or not if a customer gets their beer in an unbranded glass.

Progress made: businesses are moving in the right way

OPINION

OPINION: Sustainability comes of age in pubs and hospitality

By Hamish Stoddart, founder of Peach Pubs and strategic adviser to Punch Pubs

I attended Planet Peach – the hospitality Sustainability Summit – this week and Which?, the consumer magazine, released a sustainability report on pubs and restaurants.

What's the story of Amy Lamé? The Morning Advertiser finds out

THE BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: 'You only get one chance to be London's first night czar'

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

On Saturday I’m cutting shapes at Fabric. On Monday I’m at City Hall to meet London’s night czar Amy Lamé. 15 minutes before the interview, I phone to get let in. After some confusion, the press officer double checks, “you are at Docklands right?” No....

Blue Monday: Parkers Arms chef-patron Stosie Madi ponders why quality from suppliers is allowed to fall while prices remain high

OPINION

Price increase, quality decrease

By Stosie Madi, chef-patron of the Parkers Arms

It is uncanny how product quality has decreased and prices have increased.

Apprentices are taking the industry forward: BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin

OPINION

Back apprentices who are the future of the sector

By Emma McClarkin, CEO, British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA)

As National Apprenticeship Week 2024 draws to a close, we once again raise a glass to celebrate integral role of apprentices in the UK’s vibrant and dynamic hospitality industry.

Single focus: Tim Bird wants a VAT reduction on food and soft drinks

OPINION

Are we asking the Government for too much?

By Tim Bird, owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns

The new year is now well under way in the hospitality business and with it I always feel an air of optimism.

Time is ticking on more than one issue: Andy Slee says the Chancellor must do something for the sector in Budget

OPINION

Utility firms’ £1bn weekly bonanza and Covid loans timebomb

By Andy Slee, chief executive, Society of Independent brewers (SIBA)

I am optimistic about the long-term future of hospitality. If lockdown taught us anything, it was people’s hunger to meet friends and family and to support local community pubs and breweries.

Secrets behind success: the MA spoke to operator George Greenway after the Tamworth Tap (pictured) was named CAMRA POTY

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Secrets behind success at CAMRA's Pub of the Year

By Rebecca Weller

Owner of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Pub of the Year (POTY), George Greenway, has shared the secrets to his success at The Tamworth Tap with The Morning Advertiser (MA).

Progress being made: Be Inclusive Hospitality CEO Lorraine Copes says there is more data now on the understanding of inclusivity

OPINION

Progress in EDI is on the horizon for 2024

By Lorraine Copes, CEO of Be Inclusive Hospitality

Our industry has all the essential ingredients to stand as the beacon of inclusivity and opportunity – becoming the industry of choice where individuals from diverse backgrounds can develop and flourish in their careers.

Finding more ways to prosper: Professor Victoria Wells

OPINION

Pubs have had to diversify to survive

By Victoria Wells, Professor of Sustainable Management School for Business and Society, University of York

As a pub researcher I’m almost always given pub (or beer) related gifts for Christmas and birthdays – Christmas 2023 was no exception.

Big Interview: The Morning Advertiser talks brewing success with Becky Keane of Nirvana Brewery

BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: Becky Keane of Nirvana Brewery

By Rebecca Weller

The Morning Advertiser caught up with Nirvana Brewery co-founder Becky Keane to discuss the key to confidence, brewing success and championing women working in beer.

Toughest month: the pub remains a ‘wonderful place’ even for those abstaining

OPINION

Remember pubs during the ‘longest month of the year’

By Gav Young, licensee of the Plough & Barleycorn, Isle of Wight

So we are here, 2024 has begun. Much of the population will have powered through the festive indulgences in preparation for new year resolutions as we head into, arguably, the longest month of the year.

De minimis nonsense: operators brand the introduction of pints of wine in pubs as

Pint of wine sales 'distraction from real issues'

By Rebecca Weller

Operators across the sector have branded the concept of selling pints of wine in the on-trade as a “peculiar distraction” from more pressing issues and an attempt to “scrape” some “benefit” to Brexit.

Looking back: pubs code adjudicator Fiona Dickie reflects on the past 12 months

OPINION

Looking back at 2023 and forward to 2024

By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

As we approach the new year, it is an opportunity to review some of the key milestones for the pubs code and the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) during 2023.

We have to change: Hamish Stoddart is also a coach or non-executive to other smaller businesses.

OPINION

Everyone has to start saving the planet soon

By Hamish Stoddart, founder of Peach Pubs and strategic adviser to Punch Pubs

COP26 was the moment the UK and our industry came together to commit to try to play our part in keeping global warming to below 1.5°C.

Lucky Voice looks to expansion in UK and US

Big Interview

Looking to get lucky

By Ed Bedington

“It’s not about singing well,” according to the king of karaoke, Charlie Elek, md of Lucky Voice who’s on a mission to change the perception of karaoke.

Sector review: the landscape is leaner but it is more balanced argues Christie & Co's Stephen Owens

OPINION

Where have all the pubs gone?

By Stephen Owens, managing director – Pubs & Restaurants, Christie & Co

It seems hardly a day goes by without the media commenting on the rate of pub closures or the rising price of a pint.

Phil Dixon on the viability of pubs

OPINION

'Is a pub ever truly viable?'

By Phil Dixon, trade adviser

It was 1983. I was the Midland’s Senior Officer at the National Licensed Victuallers Association.

Sector attacked: can Zoe Eliasson meeting a community plea also help hospitality's standing?

OPINION

Seeking positive feedback as a community stalwart

By Zoe Eliasson, licensee at the Boot at Sarratt, Hertfordshire

With our pub, the Boot at Sarratt (established 1729), being situated in the middle of our picturesque village, we had no choice but to agree to a Christmas plea from the Church and local primary school.

Dealing with no-shows: Stosie Madi of the Parkers Arms, Lancashire

OPINION

Customers must help it make the season of goodwill

By Stosie Madi, chef-patron of the Parkers Arms

December is our trade’s busiest time of the year. It’s when hospitality gets to play a starring role in people’s social calendar.

Out of print: Great British Pub Awards Pub of the Year owner Tim Bird says restaurants are above pubs when it comes to guide books

OPINION

Lack of guide books means people are not finding pubs

By Tim Bird, owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns

Where have all the guides gone? That is my question and I am not referring to the helpful folk who talk us around a stately home or indeed the younger version who help the community, collect badges and, in my experience, bake rather nice cakes for charity.

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