OPINION
OPINION: Character assassination at BrewDog destined to happen
There’s a story – one of many – that’s central to the BrewDog mythology.
Opinion & Interviews
OPINION
OPINION: What do recent trends in pub ownership models tell us about the UK pub market?
Since its humble beginnings as a place of rest for weary travellers, for centuries the great British pub has remained a cornerstone of our culture and local communities.
BIG INTERVIEW
THE BIG INTERVIEW: James May is in the driving seat for beer and gin
You may know James May from a TV show about cars but he also co-owns a pub and is the face behind a gin brand.
OPINION
OPINION: Everlasting appeal of the pub
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.
BIG INTERVIEW
The Big Interview: Justice has always motivated me
A calling for justice is what led Fiona Dickie to the role of pubs code adjudicator but would you have known she regrets never having worked or lived abroad?
OPINION
OPINION: Pubs cannot afford to fail the ale test
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.
OPINION
OPINION: Mum’s the word
During the past 10 years, we have been trying to get Mother’s Day right and I am still not sure we have.
OPINION
OPINION: How are we viewed by the outside world?
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?”
BIG INTERVIEW
The Big Interview: Expect the unexpected
No one expects a pub boss to talk about TV shows and films from the 1980s but Hydes Brewery managing director Adam Mayers does.
OPINION
Trading is tough but we need to start sharing the positives
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.
OPINION
OPINION: Navigating greenwashing – a beginner’s guide
A stream of market research surveys reveal the era of environmental consciousness has arrived.
OPINION
OPINION: Early closing taking a toll on night-time economy
The current economic environment is steering businesses, particularly pubs, to close earlier, sparking concerns about the future of the night-time economy.
BIG INTERVIEW
The Big Interview: 'I don’t want to sound trite, but I must be incredibly lucky'
Family matters. And you certainly don't need to go as far as Sicily for a Mafia-inspired gangster film to find that out.
OPINION
OPINION: A touch of glass in elevating beer
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.
OPINION
OPINION: Sustainability comes of age in pubs and hospitality
I attended Planet Peach – the hospitality Sustainability Summit – this week and Which?, the consumer magazine, released a sustainability report on pubs and restaurants.
OPINION - INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
‘Be loud and proud on International Women’s Day and every day’
I’m surrounded by amazing women, in my work, my family and my friends but often I find we just aren’t making it clear how much of a great job we are doing.
OPINION
Sector’s hopes snuffed out as Chancellor fails to understand pub reality
It was a faint hope, but still cruelly dashed as the chancellor stood at the dispatch box and showed his fundamental lack of understanding of the pub sector.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
The Big Interview: 'You only get one chance to be London's first night czar'
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....
OPINION
OPINION: Pubcos scoring well with licensees but can do more
I recently had the pleasure of attending this year’s Leased & Tenanted Spotlight in London, alongside senior executives from key industry bodies.
OPINION
Positivity from pubs in pandemic has been forgotten
Patterns of dining out have changed dramatically over the past four years.
BIG INTERVIEW
The Big Interview: ‘I was always nervous about talking about personal things’
Kate Nicholls is one of the most recognisable people in the industry and is still leading from the front when it comes to lobbying Government in her position as CEO of UKHospitalty.
OPINION
Price increase, quality decrease
It is uncanny how product quality has decreased and prices have increased.
BIG INTERVIEW
Price: 'positivity and kindness show strength, not weakness'
Keeping positive in the face of adversity has been key for Barons Pub Company managing director Clive Price on his road to success.
OPINION
Back apprentices who are the future of the sector
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.
OPINION
Are we asking the Government for too much?
The new year is now well under way in the hospitality business and with it I always feel an air of optimism.
OPINION
Apprenticeships are crucial for retraining and growing workforces
The hospitality industry faces a staffing shortage. Post-pandemic, businesses are both struggling to retain their staff, as employees re-evaluate their career, and attract new talent.
OPINION
Utility firms’ £1bn weekly bonanza and Covid loans timebomb
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.
OPINION
Pubs and beyond: harnessing alcohol duty for everyone’s benefit
Perusing through the news recently has brought into sharp focus just how great the pressures being felt by the sector are: during 2023, more than 500 pubs closed their doors for good.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Secrets behind success at CAMRA's Pub of the Year
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).
BIG INTERVIEW
The Big Interview: The economic Lord of ‘Madchester’
From being a teenager to the age of 51, Sacha Lord has always been a proud Manc and his love for the music scene in the late ’80s/early ’90s remains his passion to this day.
OPINION
Progress in EDI is on the horizon for 2024
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.
OPINION
Premiumisation of cask ale is key to untapping its potential
Cask has been at the forefront of our brewery team’s mind throughout this year as we continue to champion our national beer.
OPINION
Pubs have had to diversify to survive
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 Big Interview: Becky Keane of Nirvana Brewery
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.
OPINION
Remember pubs during the ‘longest month of the year’
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.
Pint of wine sales 'distraction from real issues'
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.
OPINION
Looking back at 2023 and forward to 2024
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.
The Big Interview
'I've got a ridiculous addiction to pubs' - Stonegate's Payne takes a look back
After more than 50 years in the pub trade, Stonegate founder and chairman Ian Payne is hanging up his bar blade. The MA met up with him to chat over 50 amazing years in the trade.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
The Big Interview: A masterclass in storytelling with Charlie Gilkes
Tacky is the last word Charlie Gilkes wants to be associated with.
OPINION
Everyone has to start saving the planet soon
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.
Big Interview
Looking to get lucky
“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.
OPINION
Where have all the pubs gone?
It seems hardly a day goes by without the media commenting on the rate of pub closures or the rising price of a pint.
BIG INTERVIEW
The Big Interview: James Lyon-Shaw of Brucan Pubs
Humble and honest are two of the qualities that come through clearly when talking to James Lyon-Shaw.
OPINION
'Is a pub ever truly viable?'
It was 1983. I was the Midland’s Senior Officer at the National Licensed Victuallers Association.
OPINION
Seeking positive feedback as a community stalwart
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.
OPINION
Customers must help it make the season of goodwill
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.
BIG INTERVIEW
The Big Interview: Tom Kerridge has thick skin
Speeding breakneck round racetracks and sweating it out in the gym are probably two of Lewis Hamilton’s favourite hobbies.
OPINION
Lack of guide books means people are not finding pubs
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.