Property Law

Regional report

What makes Birmingham a good place to run a pub?

05-Aug-2019 By Michelle Perrett

A huge 40% of Birmingham’s population is claimed to be aged under 25 – and there’s plenty of places to eat and drink to satisfy those numbers

East London council protects historic pubs with local list status

05-Aug-2019 By Emily Hawkins

Historic pubs in a London borough have been granted a protective local listed status, which will help protect their vibrant histories from developers.

750 companies a day sued for business rates arrears

05-Aug-2019 By Nikkie Thatcher

Some 190,000 non-domestic premises such as pubs, shops, restaurants and offices had to appear in front of magistrates for non-payment of their business rates.

Sompting pub could be turned into housing estate

31-Jul-2019 By Nicholas Robinson

Freehold pub the Joyful Whippet in Sompting, West Sussex, could be torn down to make way for 10 houses.

Licensee shares advice after ‘challenging’ free-of-tie battle

29-Jul-2019 By Emily Hawkins

A Sheffield licensee has said she wants publicans who are thinking about beginning the process to go free of tie from their pubco/brewery to know “there is light at the end of the tunnel”.

Regional report

Why own a pub in Devon?

18-Jul-2019 By Michelle Perrett

Although reliant on tourism, if pub bosses are astute, there’s plenty of business available to make a rich living in Devon

Flat proposals will ‘kill all business’ at music pub

16-Jul-2019 By Emily Hawkins

Plans to build flats above a pub will make it ‘unviable’ to trade, according to the pair of brothers operating the site.

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: All part of the masterplan

09-Jul-2019 By Poppleston Allen

If you are applying for a new premises licence or are making changes to the layout of an existing premises, you will probably need to submit an application to the local authority, enclosing a copy of suitable licensing drawings.

Regional report

Why is Liverpool a good place to own a pub?

28-Jun-2019 By Michelle Perrett

A growing population – made up of many Millennials and Generation Z – is helping drive Liverpool and that is attracting high-profile operators

Village pub shuts after near 200% business rates hike

26-Jun-2019 By Nikkie Thatcher

A West Sussex pub has closed its doors after a huge rise in business rates from £24,000 to £70,000 in one year.

Guv'nor

Where would many be without the tie?

24-Jun-2019 By Kate Hayden

The licensee of the Snow Goose at Farnborough, Hampshire and the Extraordinary Hare at West Hendred, Oxfordshire, Kate Hayden explains that the tie has come a long way since she started out 27 years ago.

Bermondsey Beer Mile could end up ‘like a poorly run high street’

24-Jun-2019 By Emily Hawkins

The founder of a brewery situated on the Bermondsey Beer Mile has shared his concerns that rising rents and new management of businesses under railway arches could ‘end up going the same way’ as a neglected high street.

Freehold pub prices up by a fifth due to ‘supply and demand’

21-Jun-2019 By Nikkie Thatcher

The average cost of a freehold has risen by almost a fifth (18%) over the past 10 years, research from leisure property specialists has found.

Regional report

What makes Surrey a good place to own a pub?

19-Jun-2019 By Michelle Perrett

Boasting a huge commuter belt and high property prices, Surrey is an area with plenty to offer aspiring pub bosses

£2.2m pledged to save local pubs

19-Jun-2019 By Stuart Stone

The Plunkett Foundation has announced a revamp of its ‘More Than a Pub’ programme, meaning an extra £2.2m worth of funding to support communities seeking control of their local pubs

My shout

Doing a U-turn on the tenanted sector

10-Jun-2019 By Mark Robson

The leased and tenanted side of the pub industry has fragmented much over recent years and groups are far more in tune with the needs of modern pub goers, according to Red Mist Leisure MD and BII chair Mark Robson.

Welsh inn reopens after 230k revamp

07-Jun-2019 By Emily Hawkins

A family-run pub in the Snowdonia National Park has reopened following a £230k refurbishment.

How to breathe life into your beer garden

30-May-2019 By Michelle Perrett

Attracting customers to your premises may require more than simply a sunny day so make sure your outdoor areas are not the usual common or garden variety

Regional report

What makes Manchester a good place to own a pub?

30-May-2019 By Michelle Perrett

A thriving area, Manchester city centre and its suburbs is booming as the number of premise licences continues to rise

Historic disused pubs to be revived in £62m fund

21-May-2019 By Emily Hawkins

The Government has announced £62m of funding that will revive disused pubs, as part of its programme to protect high streets.

Pizza, Pots & Pints expands with three new sites

16-May-2019 By Emily Hawkins

Brewer Charles Wells has launched its Pizza, Pots & Pints brand in the East Midlands with a trio of sites.

Parliament move could be blow to Westminster pub

10-May-2019 By Emily Hawkins

The relocation of the House of Commons could have ‘negative consequences’ for a pub in the heart of Westminster, its pubco has said.

Regional focus on... Hampshire

08-May-2019 By Stuart Stone

Which pubs are on the market in Hampshire?

Liverpool football pub unveils £1m hotel expansion

08-May-2019 By Emily Hawkins

One of Liverpool’s famous football match-day pubs has opened a £1m extension that will house 115 beds.

Opinion

Why did so many pubs close in 2018?

07-May-2019 By Sophie Atherton

Beer writer Sophie Atherton ponders the reasons behind the loss of hundreds of pubs across the UK.

More than 900 pubs were lost in 2018

23-Apr-2019 By Nikkie Sutton

Some 76 pubs a month closed their doors last year – a total of 914 during the 2018 calendar year – according to new research.

‘Put pubs at the heart’ of the high street, industry urges

11-Apr-2019 By Nicholas Robinson

Local governments across the UK have the opportunity to bid for a slice of a £675m pie to bolster high streets, with UKHospitality urging councils to make our vibrant sector central to any regeneration plans.

Hints and tips for expanding your pub's accommodation offer

10-Apr-2019 By Stuart Stone

With Brexit and a weak pound has encouraged more British holidaymakers to explore destinations closer to home. Here, pub operators reveal what you need to know before adding accommodation to your venue

The rise of the multi-site regional operator

10-Apr-2019 By Stuart Stone

Hundreds of multi-site regional operators are thriving across the UK off the strength of smaller, local markets. Industry experts are able to give some insight on how and why they’ve been so successful

Pub property focus: which seaside towns are the ones to watch?

08-Apr-2019 By Stuart Stone

What makes coastal towns such a unique opportunity for pub operators and which ones should be on their radar?

Pubs, bars and restaurants can help revive seaside towns

05-Apr-2019 By Stuart Stone

Industry bodies UKHospitality (UKH) and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) have welcomed a new report by the House of Lords Select Committee on regenerating seaside towns and communities.

Backlash over Star’s plans to modernise historic Yorkshire pubs

25-Mar-2019 By Emily Hawkins

Star Pubs & Bars’ plans to refurbish two Grade II-listed pubs have been described as ‘corporate vandalism’ by pub campaigners.

West Londoners petition council to prevent pub demolition

22-Mar-2019 By Emily Hawkins

West London residents have petitioned their local council in order to prevent an historic pub from being demolished to make way for housing.

Adding to the Collection

19-Mar-2019 By Stuart Stone

The Morning Advertiser picked the brains of Sean Donkin, managing director of The Inn Collection Group, to find out what operators need to consider before attempting to grow their pub stable

Regional focus on... Greater Manchester

19-Mar-2019 By Stuart Stone

What pub properties are on the market in Greater Manchester?

MA at 225

How have different agreements affected the pub property market?

05-Mar-2019 By Michelle Perrett

The last 30 to 40 years have seen dramatic changes to the pub property market, not just in numbers but types of lease and tenanted agreements, style of pubs, and even the impact of Government intervention

Battle to rebuild illegally knocked down pub continues

27-Feb-2019 By Nikkie Sutton

The fight to rebuild an iconic London pub is still ongoing after the developers did not comply with the council’s enforcement order to restore it within two years following its demolition.

Ei Group 'penalising me for being a good operator', says licensee

25-Feb-2019 By Emily Hawkins

One tenant has spoken out about a “draining” two-year experience negotiating a free-of-tie rent figure with Ei Group and describes feeling penalised by the process.

Closure rate of wet-led pubs is slowing

25-Feb-2019 By Nikkie Sutton

Drink-led pubs and bars are still closing but at a slower pace, according to new research.

Insolvency costs to taxpayers rise by 31%

25-Feb-2019 By Nikkie Sutton

Insolvent companies – across all sectors of the British economy – that couldn’t pay their debts, have cost taxpayers £3.07bn in payments to former staff members during the past 10 years.

Lower business rates to save high-street pubs, recommend MPs

21-Feb-2019 By Emily Hawkins

A committee of MPs has recommended lower business rates for town-centre pubs, warning that without urgent action some high streets could eventually disappear altogether.

Regional focus on...Wales

30-Jan-2019 By Stuart Stone

What properties are on the market in Wales?

Back by popular demand: how upcycling can help your pub

30-Jan-2019 By Stuart Stone

Upcycling projects can help pubs reduce their environmental footprint, restore a site’s character and increase the value of a business

Coach & Horses opposes 'vanilla managed makeover'

28-Jan-2019 By Emily Hawkins

The licensee behind the famous Coach & Horses pub in Soho has pushed back against Fuller’s intentions to take over the lease, saying regulars “don’t want or need a vanilla managed makeover”.

Blue pub told to change colour to match town heritage

28-Jan-2019 By Emily Hawkins

One licensee has been left feeling blue after being told his pub’s new shade goes against regulations over the building’s listed status and place in a conservation area.

Community fights to save Merseyside pub from development

25-Jan-2019 By Emily Hawkins

The proposed residential development of a Merseyside pub has been opposed by a community campaign which wants the pub to reopen and host a dementia café.

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Legal top tips: advice on refurbishments for the new year

18-Jan-2019 By Poppleston Allen

With the Christmas and new year festivities over, you might be looking forward to finally taking some time to kick back and relax a little.

Closure of 1,000 pubs would create ‘sustainable equilibrium’

17-Jan-2019 By Stuart Stone

According to specialist adviser Christie & Co’s Business Outlook 2019, the past 12 months could serve as a turning point for the British pub industry with more people than ever employed in the sector despite declining pub numbers.

Hammer time! What do operators need to know before buying or selling a pub at an auction?

16-Jan-2019 By Stuart Stone

If you can avoid sneezing, waving or any other everyday movements that might be interpreted as bidding, property auctions can yield a great opportunity to purchase a pub. However, there’s a lot of legwork that needs to take place before placing a bid.

Fleurets reveals 21.6% decline in leasehold transactions

09-Jan-2019 By Stuart Stone

A survey by leisure property specialist Fleurets has revealed the leasehold market “continued to be difficult” in 2018 as volume and value of acquired leaseholds plummeted.