Opinion & Interviews

Opinion Pete Brown:

Great British Beer Festival is 'same old, same old'

24-Aug-2017 By Pete Brown

Did you go to the Trade Day at the Great British Beer Festival this year? Pete Brown shares his experience and it's not as glowing as the organisers might have hoped.

Big Interview: Be At One's Steve Locke and Andrew Stones

18-Jul-2017 By Claire Churchard

Be At One’s Steve Locke and Andrew Stones reveal how speedy yet great cocktails have been the basis for a business that is still keeping the party going.

The Big Interview: Craft Union's Frazer Grimbleby

26-Jun-2017 By Ed Bedington

At the time the smoking ban came into force, many suggested it was the final nail in the coffin of the traditional wet-led pub. But 10 years on, a new operation has emerged which is leading the crusade to put wet led back on the menu.

Opinion

Opinion: 50 ways to avoid an MRO

09-Jun-2017 By Phil Dixon CBII industry adviser

Last Saturday in my fifty first season in senior cricket, I was skippering the mighty Cookley Thirds in the Worcestershire League. 

Harry Redknapp: pub is a great place for scouting players

25-Apr-2017 By Liam Coleman

Legendary football manager Harry Redknapp talks to The Morning Advertiser about the BT Sport Pub Cup, pubs and Bacardi & Cokes, ahead of the inaugural tournament where he will present the  trophy. 

Big Interview

The man behind the cask: Marston’s MD on real ale

11-Apr-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Controversy is following cask ale of late. Brewers, fans and critics have all condemned the rise of substandard pints in pubs, as well as the fact much of the trade is selling the beverage too cheaply.

The Big Interview

Bidfood sets sights on growing pub customers

28-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Pubs will be a bigger focus for Bidfood (formerly Bidvest Foodservice) in the coming years, according to chief executive Andrew Selley and sales and marketing director Andy Kemp, who agree the trade is primed to grow its dry sales to new heights.

Opinion

'We must do everything to get people back into our pubs', says Cornerstone Inns managing director

20-Mar-2017 By Damon Horrill

Damon Horrill, managing director, Cornerstone Inns has said "we must do everything to get people back into our pubs".

Big Interview

Camden Town boss on criticism, investment and innovation

27-Feb-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Camden Town Brewery faced criticism of ‘selling out’ when it agreed to a takeover by AB InBev in 2015, but founder Jasper Cuppaidge reveals the brewery always had plans to expand as the company moves into a bigger brewhouse 10 miles from its original...

Sport

Dartcember pub quiz part 5 - Michael van Gerwen

14-Dec-2016 By Liam Coleman

Ahead of the World Darts Championship, which will be shown live on Sky Sports from December 15, five of the world's leading darts players will be testing their wits against their fellow players in an exclusive pub quiz. In the final part, world number...

Sport

Dartcember pub quiz part 4 - Raymond van Barneveld

13-Dec-2016 By Liam Coleman

Ahead of the World Darts Championship, which will be shown live on Sky Sports from December 15, five of the world's leading darts players will be testing their wits against their fellow players in an exclusive pub quiz. Next to test his knowledge...

MA Sport

Dartcember pub quiz part 3 - Gary Anderson

12-Dec-2016 By Liam Coleman

Ahead of the World Darts Championship, which will be shown live on Sky Sports from December 15, five of the world's leading darts players will be testing their wits against their fellow players in an exclusive festive pub quiz. Next up is the current...

MA Sport

Dartcember pub quiz part 2 - Phil Taylor

08-Dec-2016 By Liam Coleman

Ahead of the World Darts Championship, which will be shown live on Sky Sports from December 15, five of the world's leading darts players will be testing their wits against their fellow players in an exclusive pub quiz. Next up is the legendary Phil...

MA Sport

Dartcember pub quiz part 1 - Adrian Lewis

07-Dec-2016 By Liam Coleman

Ahead of the World Darts Championship, five of the world's leading darts players will be testing their wits against their fellow players in an exclusive pub quiz. First up: two-time PDC World Darts Champion, Adrian Lewis. The championship will be...

Opinion

Sophie Atherton: Festive beers only serve to disappoint

30-Nov-2016 By Sophie Atherton

Beer somellier, Sophie Atherton, looks at why most festive beers prove to be absolute turkeys.

Opinion

'Taxes killing pubs while supermarkets surge'

22-Nov-2016 By Tim Martin

Two taxes in particular are killing pubs according to Tim Martin: business rates and VAT. Here the JD Wetherspoon chairman has his say on the situation... 

Opinion

Don't let the party season go by without maximising efforts

10-Nov-2016 By Ed Bedington

Welcome to The Morning Advertiser’s party issue! With the festive season looming large on the horizon, we thought we’d give you some food (and drink) for thought to help get you in the mood and perhaps give you a little inspiration to make the most of...

Opinion

Sophie Atherton: The female pound is worth the same as anyone else’s money

09-Nov-2016 By Sophie Atherton

A beer marketing book that focuses on the female market may be written for an American audience but, with few tweaks, the advice works just as well in the UK

OPINION

Jumping on the craft beer hipster-bashing bandwagon? Think again

03-Nov-2016 By Luke Raven

Dear Daily Telegraph, we read your piece with interest this morning entitled “Craft beer is turning people into zombies” about Anthony Bourdain’s interview with Thrillist. 

THE BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: AB InBev's Jason Warner

31-Oct-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

Given the way certain craft brewers talk about Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI), you’d expect the brewing giant’s new(ish) Northern European boss to cut a Darth Vader-like figure.

Opinion

Amazing operators provide faith in sector for years to come

19-Oct-2016 By Ed Bedington

It took a lot of hard work to get there but the Great British Pub Awards proved a triumph, with an amazing array of winners and finalists celebrating their success.

Opinion

Pete Brown: The pleasures of the great Northwest

18-Oct-2016 By Pete Brown

Beer writer Pete Brown offers his opinion on Oregon and Washington in the US, including why the British attitude to customer service is a self-defeating stance

Great British Pub Awards 2016

Pub Awards: Video interviews with this year's winners

06-Oct-2016 By Liam Coleman

We spoke to a selection of the winners at the Great British Pub Awards just after their moment of glory.

Interview

The Big Interview: BII's Mike Clist & Anthony Pender

03-Oct-2016 By Mike Berry

When British Institute of Innkeeping chairman Anthony Pender called in the help of Mike Clist, the wheels were set in motion to refocus the membership body’s offer and reach new heights. Mike Berry finds out more.

Opinion

Paul Pavli: "Hit a sticky patch? Produce a new business plan"

27-Sep-2016 By Paul Pavli

One thing that never changes in the British pub market is the constant changes. Not only are there the usual internal industry challenges, from changing legislation to mergers and acquisitions, but influential external factors, from the rise of casual-dining...

Big Interview

The Big Interview: Greg Mulholland on controversy, Super-ACVs and the pubs code

21-Sep-2016 By Oli Gross

Taking a five-minute stroll from one pub in Otley to another with the town’s MP, Greg Mulholland, is long enough to bump into three smiling faces of local licensees keen to greet their local politician.

OPINION

TripAdvisor: who gives a hoot?

14-Sep-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

TripAdvisor: love it or hate it, if you work in hospitality, you’ve got an opinion. And the chances are it's a strong one.

Exclusive interview

Budweiser will have more ‘surprise’ campaigns and product innovation

15-Aug-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Budweiser will launch more “surprise” customer-focused campaigns as well as new liquid and packaging innovation after its Euro 2016 beer giveaway strategy increased sales in some pubs and bars by more than 100%.

Interview

"I’ve still got a great deal of energy for the role": BBPA's Brigid Simmonds

05-Aug-2016 By Mike Berry

She’s been in post since 2009, but for BBPA boss Brigid Simmonds there is no seven-year itch and still plenty of enthusiasm for a job which, at times, has seen her subjected to levels of abuse that would see most people ducking for cover. Mike Berry reports

Interview

"I don’t like the polarisation in the sector" - Interviewing business minister Anna Soubry

11-Jul-2016 By Mike Berry

She can be forthright when she speaks, but small business minister Anna Soubry MP clearly has a drive to try to ease the burden on business owners. Mike Berry reports.

Opinion

ACV pub licensee: "It's not necessarily saving a pub, it's putting a restriction on somebody else's business"

20-Jun-2016 By Lee Pullan, Licensee of the Old Cock, Otley

Greg Mulholland and the Otley Pub Club's blanket ACV on all the town's pubs got nationwide media attention - but one licensee argues it isn't a panacea for closures.

Opinion

Pete Brown: Not every failing pub is the fault of 'evil pubcos'

16-Jun-2016 By Pete Brown

Offering an ‘unbiased view’ can sometimes make those on each side of the debate assume you favour the opposition. Pete Brown tells us more.

Opinion

Have you got Beer Day Britain talent?

15-Jun-2016 By Jane Peyton

Beer Day Britain – the national day of recognition to beer – is today (15 June). Brewers, pubs, retailers, restaurants, bars and ale trails are participating in a variety of ways.

Opinion

Beer Day Britain is upon us once again

26-May-2016 By Jane Peyton

Beer Day Britain (BDB Day), aka National Beer Day on 15 June is less than three weeks away. After a successful inaugural celebration in 2015 this year’s event is already bigger, with many more brewers, pubs, and retailers involved.

The Big Interview: Oakman Inns founder Peter Borg-Neal

23-May-2016 By Oli Gross

Peter Borg-Neal is different to many pubco chief executives, having worked in just about every role in the business. Oli Gross finds out more about him.

Big Interview

‘Pub’ is the buzz word for Diageo, says sales director

31-Mar-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

‘Pub’ is the current buzzword at Diageo as the drinks giant’s sales director Ronak Mashru is very keen to get across. Nicholas Robinson finds out why

Opinion

Guv'nor: Pubs really can be good for your health

21-Mar-2016 By Peter Tiley

The trade has taken a bit of a battering recently. The Chief Medical Officer recently cut recommended drinking limits and declared there is “no such thing as a safe level of drinking”, talk continues of a lower drink-drive limit and this year’s Dry January...

THE BIG INTERVIEW

Young's' executive chef Chris Knights: rise of casual dining was 'double-edged sword'

02-Mar-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

The chef world has changed immeasurably since Chris Knights was peeling potatoes in the kitchen of his mum's pub at age 13.

Interview

Michael Owen is making up for lost time at the pub

16-Feb-2016 By Oli Gross

Michael Owen is making up for lost time at the pub since hanging up his boots, the former England striker told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser.

The Big Interview

"We ignored the focus groups because it felt right" - Interviewing Rupert Thompson of Hogs Back Brewery

26-Jan-2016 By Phil Mellows

Hogs Back Brewery’s Rupert Thompson has been among the most influential people in the beer industry over the past three decades. Phil Mellows caught up with him in the hop garden.

Opinion

How was the top 50 Gastropubs list constructed?

25-Jan-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

What a difference 12 months can make. The Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list 2016 is very different to the one we saw this time last year.

Big Interview

Greene King's Rooney Anand: "People running their own pub businesses have to be pretty hard-nosed"

10-Dec-2015 By Ed Bedington

Greene King might be off the beaten track in the sleepy Suffolk town of Bury St Edmunds, but that has not stopped it from making waves throughout the wider UK market.

PMA Sport

Exclusive Q&A with football superstar Gareth Bale

25-Nov-2015 By Mike Berry

Welsh footballer Gareth Bale is one of sport's global superstars having made the move to Spanish giants Real Madrid two years ago. The PMA caught up with the BT Sport ambassador in Madrid recently to chat about his new life and hopes for Wales in...

Interview

Punch boss: I hope MRO will encourage investment

02-Nov-2015 By Ed Bedington

Ed Bedington finds out why the new man in charge of Punch Taverns is rolling with the punches

Publicans

'The pubco/tenant relationship - it's a struggle between "us and them"'...Interviewing campaigner Bill Sharp

08-Jul-2015 By Michelle Perrett

Bill Sharp has been an industry stalwart for more than 40 years, fighting for the rights of licensees and urging Government intervention over the beer tie.

Beer special

'Will BrewDog ever do a Meantime? No.'...Interviewing James Watt

07-Jul-2015 By Adrian Tierney-Jones

The BrewDog empire of beers and bars may well continue to grow at a rapid rate, but co-founder James Watt wants to keep hold of the punk spirit...

Big Interview

'We tell people nicely "we don't do Carling"'...interviewing Purity's founder

03-Jul-2015 By Phil Mellows

Craft beer was no more than a glint in a hipster’s eye when Paul Halsey founded the Purity Brewing Company almost a decade ago. Phil Mellows finds out how he’s been keeping up with the pace.

Opinion

Respect to those that create the proper pub atmosphere

17-Jun-2015 By Jeffrey Bell

My second career ended on 27 May 2015 when I sold my leasehold and business at the Finborough Arms, Kensington, west London.

Opinion

Meantime Brewery...what comes next?

04-Jun-2015 By Roger Protz

What are the implications of the craft brewery's takeover by SABMiller?

Sport

Big Interview: Bruce Cuthbert, BT Sport director, commercial customers

21-May-2015 By Mike Berry

Just two years on from launch, BT Sport has secured exclusive rights to football’s top European competitions. Mike Berry finds out how the company will make the case for pubs to switch on to its service.