Property Law

Mulholland: 'We beat the British establishment'

27-Apr-2015 By Greg Mulholland

Parliamentary Save the Pub Group chair Greg Mulholland reflects on the group's achievements over the last five years of government.

ACVs

Norfolk's first community-owned pub to open a shop

16-Apr-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Norfolk’s first community-owned pub has opened a shop thanks to support from rural pub champions Pub is the Hub and Norfolk County Council. The White Horse at Upton will sell newspapers, local produce and other everyday essentials.

Councils urged to play by ACV rules following delays

16-Apr-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Licensees and pub campaigners have urged local councils to play by the rules when it comes to responding to applications to list pubs as assets of community value (ACV), as the future of outlets in the capital are increasingly threatened by developers.

Council seeks legal action over demolished pub

13-Apr-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Westminster City Council said it will look into taking legal action against a developer after a Maida Vale pub was demolished, despite the fact the authority had rejected an application to replace the building with flats.

Property

Money maker: Growing trend for pubs with beds

09-Apr-2015 By Paul Davey, Davey Co

Pub accommodation can drive sales and increase revenue — but make sure your rooms represent value for money.

Pubs 'will lose out' in next business rates revaluation

31-Mar-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Pubs and restaurants risk losing out in the 2017 rating revaluation as the Uniform Business Rate (UBR) is likely to be set at 50p in the pound, a property advisor has warned.

Government rejects bid to further strengthen ACV laws

26-Mar-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

The Government has rejected recommendations to further strengthen asset-of-community-value (ACV) planning laws, refuting claims that the nomination process is lengthy and complex.

Beware tinkering with business rates

26-Mar-2015 By David Morgan

Adopting the results of an LGA survey that calls for more powers for local councils must be treated with caution, says David Morgan, director at Morgan & Clarke chartered surveyors

Brighton pub to keep its ACV status

25-Mar-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

A Brighton pub has retained its status as an asset of community value (ACV), after winning a rare tribunal hearing against the owner of the property.

DESIGN

How to capture the Generation Z crowd

18-Mar-2015 By Sam Stokoe

If your designs are on bringing 18 to 25-year-olds into your pub, you must have something more than an alcohol promotion, says Sam Stokoe director at commercial interior design consultancy Newman Gauge

How to get the most from a rent review

16-Mar-2015 By Dan Mackernan

With plenty of time in hand, begin putting your information together, and use expert advice, so you can enjoy the spoils of a rent review, says Dan Mackernan, director of licensed leisure at international real estate services company Savills

JDW boss Tim Martin slams 'misleading' practices from property agents

12-Mar-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) chairman Tim Martin has attacked the practice of properties being sold at auction on the basis of inaccurate information.

How to appeal an ACV listing

12-Mar-2015 By David Brammer

Experts argue that a building in use is better than one left empty, which can happen at ACV-listed pubs. David Brammer, solicitor and head of planning at commercial law firm SGH Martineau, explains how licensees can appeal a listing

Pub campaigners key in forcing planning changes

10-Mar-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

The strength of campaigning by local residents was a key factor in the decision to issue two pubs with ‘article 4 directions’, according to the local authorities involved.

The future pub market will be dominated by new super pubcos

05-Mar-2015 By Neil Morgan

In 10 years’ time we could see a market dominated by the largest international brewers, reducing customer choice, says Neil Morgan, director and national head of pubs at Christie + Co

Kris Hopkins launches Community Pubs Day

04-Mar-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Community Pubs Minister Kris Hopkins has launched a national day of celebration for all pubs listed as assets of community value.

Majority of firms support locally-set business rates

02-Mar-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

More than two-thirds of UK businesses agree that councils should be able to set business rates locally, a national poll has revealed.

RICS: Highest pub rent costs in two years

26-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Pub rent as a percentage of projected turnover reached its highest level for almost two years in the last quarter of 2014, but saw a slight drop overall compared to 2013, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Pub Benchmarking Survey.

Pub sales are up in the South West

26-Feb-2015 By Stephen Taylor

The south-west is proving to be a popular area for people wanting to live and work in a location they love says Stephen Taylor, managing director at Guy Simmonds

City centres are embracing resurgence in sales

19-Feb-2015 By Paul Davey

Despite the belief surburban towns are outgunning their big brothers, cities are embracing a positive change in property use, says Paul Davey, managing director at Davey Co

City slickers key to country pub trade

12-Feb-2015 By Richard Wood

London and south-east professionals are buying rural public houses to procure a better lifestyle with an income, says Richard Wood pub and restaurant specialist at Christie + Co’s Exeter office

Changes to ACV planning law to be laid 'before General Election'

11-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Plans to strengthen planning legislation for pubs listed as assets of community value (ACV) will be heard in parliament “in the next few weeks”, communities minister Stephen Williams has claimed.

Pubs code 'could end market recovery'

05-Feb-2015 By Robert Beale

Uncertainty still rules the sector says Robert Beale, head of valuation service associate at Vickery Holman

Call for Government to further strengthen ACV planning laws

03-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee has called on the Government to increase the moratorium on the sale of a pub listed as an asset of community value from six to nine months, after claiming that nearly half of all community bids for...

News analysis

Unintended consequences of new pub planning laws

30-Jan-2015 By Mike Berry

Beware of the law of unintended consequences. Community pubs minister Kris Hopkins has announced the Government intends to introduce legislation meaning planning permission would be required to change the use of or demolish a pub listed as an asset of...

Fleurets: Being an ‘asset of community value’ is not an advantage

27-Jan-2015 By Simon Hall

Last month the Campaign for Real Ale revealed that 600 pubs had been labelled assets of community value and this week the Government pledged to tighten planning regulations around ACV-listed pubs. But how does the listing affect the sale of a pub? Simon...

MPs vote against bid to tighten pub planning laws

26-Jan-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

A Parliamentary vote to stop pubs being converted or demolished without planning permission has been narrowly defeated.

Government to strengthen planning law for ACV-listed pubs

26-Jan-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

The Government has said it intends to introduce legislation meaning planning permission would be required to change the use of or demolish a pub listed as an asset of community value (ACV).

MPs seek to end pub planning rights ‘scandal’

22-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

MPs from the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group have tabled an amendment to the Infrastructure Bill, seeking to “end the scandal” of pubs being demolished or turned into supermarkets without planning permission.

Pub sale price hikes 8.6%

16-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

The average sale price of a pub has increased by 8.6% over the past year and a record number are being sold for continued use, according to the latest research from property agent Christie + Co.

Pub retention at highest for 5 years, Fleurets figures reveal

14-Jan-2015 By Mike Berry

The number of freehold pubs remaining as pubs after being sold has reached its highest point for five years, according to new figures.

Pub property predictions for 2015

14-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

How will the pub property market perform in 2015? The Publican’s Morning Advertiser speaks to the agents in the know.

INSIGHT

Optimism grows in pub markets

10-Dec-2014 By Jon Clyne

Jon Clyne, director at commercial property agent Charles Darrow, assesses how prices have been affected in recent times and looks ahead to the new year

Niche multiple operators leading pub success stories

09-Dec-2014 By Paul Davey

The growth of multi-site operators is fuelling recovery in the property market, says Paul Davey, managing director at Davey Co.

INSIGHT

Top tips on optimising your letting space

04-Dec-2014 By Gavin Mansfield

Gavin Mansfield, tenant operations manager at McMullen, offers his top tips on optimising your letting space

Fleurets reports pub prices up across the board for 2014

03-Dec-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

The average price of a leasehold pub has soared 23% year-on-year for 2014, while freehouses rose 25% and bottom-end freeholds 12%.

Don’t idealise the end of the pub tie

03-Dec-2014 By Paul Tallentyre

Many pitfalls await tenants and pubcos if the proposed changes to the pubs code are implemented, warns Paul Tallentyre, pubs and bars director at Davis Coffer Lyons

The regions, the politics of envy and what it means for our industry

28-Nov-2014 By James Baer

I recently took part in the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers’ autumn debate in which the motion was “London thrives while the rest survive”.

Grade II listed London pub awarded £3.8m lottery funding

27-Nov-2014 By Mike Berry

A landmark south London pub has been awarded a £3.8m grant by lottery bosses to help restore the Grade II listed building to its former glory.

The best way to tie the licensed trade knot

26-Nov-2014 By Graham Allman

As in any sound marriage, the relationship between host and BDM has to be built on trust. Graham Allman, MD at GA Select, provides the matrimonial guidance

INSIGHT

Key steps to buying or selling a leasehold pub

20-Nov-2014 By Paul Davey

Paul Davey, managing director of Davey Co gives advice to each party — the buyer, seller and landlord

INSIGHT

Preparing for business rates revaluations

20-Nov-2014 By Nicola Murrish

Last week, the Government announced that business rates assessments from 2017 onwards will be based on a property’s rental value on 1 April 2015. Nicola Murrish, associate at Vickery Holman, south-west commercial property consultants, provides the details

INSIGHT

When is the right time to buy a closed pub?

12-Nov-2014 By Simon Chaplin

If you are considering buying a closed pub, do your homework and you could be on the way to fulfilling a dream, according to Simon Chaplin, director of pubs at Christie + Co

INSIGHT

The right approach to bank borrowing

12-Nov-2014 By Roger Schooling

Roger Schooling, senior partner at Sidney Phillips Business Mortgages, says make sure you get expert advice before making your pitch to the bank

Business rates 'should be set by local councils'

12-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Local councils should be given powers to set their own levels of business rates, the Local Government Association (LGA) has proposed.

Business rate revaluation date set for 1 April 2015

07-Nov-2014 By Mike Berry

The Government has announced that business rates assessments from 2017 onwards will be based on a property’s rental value on 1 April 2015.

INSIGHT

Choosing between freehold and lease

05-Nov-2014 By Stephen Taylor

Stephen Taylor, managing director of Guy Simmonds, explains the details you must consider when searching for a suitable pub

Parallel rent assessments 'could produce rents of zero'

05-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The parallel rent assessment provision in the pub statutory code could suggest that a tied tenant pays no rent, the Government has claimed.

Majority of free-of-tie rents up in capital and Midlands

04-Nov-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

An overwhelming majority of free-of-tie pub rent reviews in London and the Midlands resulted in an increase during the past three years, according to Fleurets Rental Survey 2014.

INSIGHT

Tips on becoming a multiple operator

30-Oct-2014 By Chris Jowsey

You’ve run a pub for a few years, business is better than ever and you start thinking about taking on a second site. But when is the right time to go multiple? Chris Jowsey, trading director at Star Pubs & Bars, shares his tips on how to make the...