Legislation

Gov consultation on gaming machines in pubs welcomed

26-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pub trade bodies UKHospitality (UKH) and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) have welcomed a consultation by the Government that is seeking views on matters relating to gaming machines in pubs and other venues.

Ofgem reforms 'welcomed' by sector

26-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Ofgem’s reformation plans to address the ongoing energy crisis have been welcomed by the sector, but trade bodies warn the Government must act “urgently” to avoid more business failures.

Extra sales revenue streams for on-trade ended by Gov

21-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Government has decided it will end automatic provision for pubs and bars to sell alcohol for off-site consumption and will halt the increased number of temporary event notices (TENs) permitted too.

BII campaign calls for pubs to engage with MPs

20-Jul-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Operators have been urged to write to their MPs and invite them to their pubs, in a bid to show the importance of the sector in communities as part of a new campaign.

Customers less likely to visit pubs as fixed rate mortgages end

19-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

As more people come off fixed mortgages there is a cash squeeze on them meaning they are less likely to visit pubs, according to research from Oxford Partnership.

Sector 'not out of the woods' as inflation eases

19-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The downturn in inflation is “positive news” for the sector but firms are not “out of the woods yet”, according to industry leaders.

Over 170 pubs join legal claim against energy giants

19-Jul-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pubs may have overpaid by more than £1,000 per year on energy costs, a law firm has revealed as it plans to help businesses recover "secret commissions" paid to brokers by energy companies.

Warning over alcohol tax changes increasing closures

18-Jul-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The changes to alcohol duty that are set to be implemented in a matter of weeks could intensify pub closures, the sector has been warned.

E.ON boss: sector too 'high risk' to invest in

17-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

A Middlesex pub could see expansion plans “cancelled” after its energy supplier rejected an application to extend the site’s supply, deeming the entire hospitality sector too “high risk”.

MPs and campaigners voice anger over 10.1% spirits hike

17-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Cross-party MPs and campaigners have descended on Westminster to voice their anger over a tax hike that will push the price of some drinks at pubs up by 10.1%.

Late-night levy 'more targeted' despite calls to scrap it

17-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Changes to the late-night levy (LNL) show a more “targeted” approach from the Government but any extra cost will be felt “most severely” by independent businesses.

OPINION

Championing code compliance

17-Jul-2023 By Fiona Dickie, pubs code adjudicator

The role of the pubs code adjudicator is varied and one part of it involves taking time to understand how the regulated pub companies run their businesses and how they embed their code duties into their relationships with their tied tenants. The regulator...

Late-night levy changes 'damaging blow'

13-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Changes to the late-night levy (LNL) are a “damaging blow” but a “step in the right direction”, according to trade bodies across the sector.

Business rates consultation 'ignores fundamental issues'

12-Jul-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government’s consultation into business rates, in particular Empty Property Relief (EPR), puts “additional burdens” onto ratepayers and ignores the systems “fundamental issues”.

SLTA laments move to axe night buses in Glasgow

11-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has claimed a move to cancel night buses in Glasgow is “yet another hammer blow” for the licensed trade.

How are alcohol duty rates changing?

07-Jul-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Ahead of the changes to alcohol duty rates in under a month (1 August), The Morning Advertiser takes a look at what the new system will look like.

SLTA: Gov move is ‘really good news’ for on-trade

30-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has welcomed the Scottish government’s move to take action on non-domestic rates, foster closer collaboration with businesses and set up a review board in its New Deal for Business Group.

UKH: growing business costs will cause 'entrenched inflation'

29-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Forcing firms to stay locked into high-priced energy contracts as food costs soar will result in “entrenched inflation”, UKHospitality's chief executive has stated.

Scotland visitor levy ‘yet more red tape’ for hospitality

27-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

As the Scottish Parliament’s consultation on the proposed visitor levy opens, UKHospitality (UKH) Scotland has urged venues to respond and outline the impact it will have on their business.

BBPA recommends scrutiny over MUP findings

27-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Scotland’s alcohol minimum unit pricing initiative has shown “positive” results but leaves much to be “considered” before a decision on its continuation is made.

July rail strikes 'hammer blow' for sector

23-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Fresh rail strikes in July will be a “hammer blow” for hospitality businesses entering the peak summer season, UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has stated.

NTIA calls for Gov to protect security workers from violence

23-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Trade bodies have called for Government to take action to protect security workers against violence, after a new BBC report drew attention to the high levels of abuse they face in the workplace.

Interest rates hike prompts fear among trade bodies

23-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Bank of England-imposed interest rates rise has the potential to contract the value of the hospitality economy by £4bn within four years, according to UKHospitality (UKH).

Cheap shot from Government on wages

22-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Government’s recent “naming and shaming” of companies for allegedly paying below the minimum wage feels like something of a cheap shot, certainly for those named in the hospitality sector.

Inflation figures should be 'stark reality check' for Gov

22-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Recent inflation figures should be a “stark reality check” for the Government, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.

Fears over legislation void ‘risks threat of terrorism’

20-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

A refusal by the Government to implement legislation for security businesses is putting the sector at risk from terrorist threats, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and the UK Door Security Association (UKDSA).

ASLEF July overtime ban 'another setback' for sector

20-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Next month's overtime ban from the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) is "another setback" for the industry, trade body UKHospitality has stated.

200 pubs closed in first quarter of 2023

19-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Some 200 pubs closed their doors in the first three months of this year, according data obtained by one accountancy firm.

Review of the Week

Reasons to be cheerful

16-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with the BII's Steve Alton to take a look at the week's events, from epic cycle rides to positive news on business rates and beyond.

Boris Partygate findings ‘devastating news’ for hospitality

15-Jun-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A new report revealing former Prime Minister Boris Johnson deliberately misled parliament over 10 Downing Street parties is “devastating news” for hospitality, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).

Labour vows to back high streets and overhaul business rates

15-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Jonathan Reynolds, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Industrial Strategy, has pledged to "breathe life back into the high streets" by supporting the hospitality sector.

The Lock In Podcast

Wasp wrangling and other tips for summer success

13-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

Wasps can ruin many a pub garden experience, but how best to handle them? The Lock In team tackled the perennial pests and other top tips on making the most of summer trade.

DRS ‘reduced to a tardy political battle’ says SLTA

09-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The SLTA (Scottish Licensed Trade Association) has welcomed the news Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will be delayed until at least October 2025 but warned politics must be left out of it in future.

Controversial Deposit Return Scheme delayed until October 2025

07-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Trade bodies have welcomed the opportunity for a more collaborative approach to finalising the details of Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) after the start of the initiative was delayed for the third time.

How to avoid 'rogue' business rates agents

07-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Valuations Office Agency (VOA) has urged pub owners to “protect themselves” against “rogue” business rates agent.

Marston’s stands out on tenant satisfaction

06-Jun-2023 By Ed Bedington

Tenant satisfaction with their pubcos remained unchanged from last year, according to a recent survey by the pubs code adjudicator (PCA), with Marston’s and Greene King notable exceptions.

‘Business owners powerless at hands of energy suppliers’

06-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

A number of organisations representing a variety of businesses have pleaded to the Government for urgent action on the energy crisis.

Scotland and UK cannot afford to lose DRS says administrator

06-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Too much money has been invested into the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for it not to go ahead as planned says the initiative’s organiser Circularity Scotland.

‘Get a grip’ on train strikes call from BrewDog boss

02-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

BrewDog boss James Brown has demanded the Government “get a grip” of ongoing train strikes, which have lasted for almost a year, to save independent hospitality businesses.

UKH calls for chefs to be added to immigration list

01-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

UKHospitality (UKH) has urged the Government to add chefs to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), in order to alleviate persistent shortages.

BBPA and BII push Gov to fill pubs vacancies

31-May-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Chefs from overseas must be included on the Government’s Shortage Occupation List, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and the British institute of Innkeeping (BII).

Only 1 in 3 firms optimistic about future as energy costs soar by 80%

30-May-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Just 29% of hospitality businesses are optimistic about the next 12 months with energy cited as their biggest concern, new data has showed.

Pub repairs – how the pubs code helps

19-May-2023 By Fiona Dickie, Pubs Code Adjudicator

Disputes over pub repairs can be a real cause of dissatisfaction for the tenant, as well as the landlord. Knowing and using Pubs Code rights can help avoid such disputes arising or help tenants to resolve them if they do.

UKH Scotland demands ‘new approach’ on business rates

19-May-2023 By Gary Lloyd

UKHospitality Scotland says the Scottish government’s claim that pubs and restaurants have seen a decrease in their overall rateable value has not been backed up by hospitality businesses.

Business rates appeal system 'isn't working'

18-May-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Latest Government figures indicate the business rates appeal system “isn’t working”, property expert firm Colliers has stated.

NTIA Save Brixton Academy campaign sees 'overwhelming' support

17-May-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The campaign to save the Brixton Academy from permanent closure received an “overwhelming” level of response, The Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.

Labour market remains 'tight' as long-term sickness increases

16-May-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Economic activity in the UK has declined as the number of people not working due to long-term sickness hits a record high, figures from the Office For National Statistics (ONS) have revealed.

NTIA calls for support to save Brixton Academy being 'lost forever'

15-May-2023 By Rebecca Weller

A campaign to save the Brixton Academy from permanent closure has received more than 10,000 written representations, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has confirmed.

CAMRA calls on Gov to save high street pubs

15-May-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) believes the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ bill could put the future of thousands of pubs at risk and has called for their planning rights to be protected.

Academy closure sees 'enormous' loss of trade for Brixton pubs

12-May-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Brixton businesses have seen an “enormous downturn in trade” since the local academy’s closure with resident firms losing £500,000 each week.