Property Law

Pub closure rates decline, says Christie + Co

18-Jan-2012

Fewer pubs have been put up for sale, the closure rate is decelerating and the level of pubs selling for alternative use has declined — that’s according to research by Christie+Co.

Property predictions for 2012

12-Jan-2012 By Gurjit Degun

Our panel of experts anticipates bottom-end price rises, significant managed-house investment, a growing freehouse appetite and possible relaxation of the tie.

BBPA welcomes Mary Queen of Shops Review

13-Dec-2011 By Gurjit Degun

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed proposals to improve high streets and has called for the government to put the plans “higher up the political agenda”.

Leasehold pub prices increase, says Fleurets survey

07-Dec-2011 By Gurjit Degun

The average sale price of a leasehold pub has increased by 16% to £46,879, compared to £40,421 in 2010, according to a survey into pub prices by Fleurets.

Music fees prompt rent review calls

30-Nov-2011 By Gurjit Degun

A raft of rent reviews could be looming as a result of the proposed increased charges by music-royalties collections firm PPL.

Energy ratings threat to leased pubs

02-Nov-2011

Thousands of licensees may have to take steps to increase energy-efficiency at their pubs if they are to be leased after 2018, or face being removed from the rental market.

Small firms set for bank-loans boost

26-Oct-2011 By John Harrington

A new bank has been launched that aims to loan £250m to small and medium-sized companies in 2012.

70% of auctioned pubs sold this year

26-Oct-2011 By Gurjit Degun

Seven out of every 10 pubs offered for auction this year were successfully sold – that’s according to figures from the Essential Information Group (EIG).

CGR seals Dirty Martini site

19-Oct-2011 By Mark Wingett

CG Restaurants (CGR) has acquired a second site for its Dirty Martini bar concept in London’s Hanover Square.

‘Half of all disposals for alternative use’

19-Oct-2011 By Gurjit Degun

Just over half (52%) of all pubco disposals sold during the past six months have been for alternative use — these are the findings from Fleurets’ half-year review.

CD Pub Co plans to add one site per year

12-Oct-2011 By John Harrington

CD Pub Co, the Warwickshire-based pub company founded by two senior figures from the property industry, has announced plans to add one site per year over the next five years.

Warning issued over choosing a pub property agent

30-Sep-2011 By Gurjit Degun

Licensees looking to sell their pub have been warned to be on their guard when choosing an agent.

20% of Scots hosts considered pub exit

28-Sep-2011 By Gurjit Degun

One in five Scottish licensees has mulled over selling up or closing down their pub within the last six months — that’s according to independent research commissioned by brewer Molson Coors.

Fair Pinters launch new business to help pubco tenants

20-Sep-2011 By Ewan Turney

Two key members of the anti-beer tie Fair Pint campaign — David Morgan and Simon Clarke — have joined forces to launch a new business to help secure better deals for tenants.

Shepherd Neame buys Kent hotel from Thorley Taverns

19-Sep-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Shepherd Neame, the Kent-based brewer and pub operator, has bought the freehold of a coastal hotel from multiple operator Thorley Taverns for an undisclosed sum.

Christie + Co to sell more ex-Tchenguiz pubs

13-Sep-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Agent Christie + Co has been appointed to sell the latest batch of pubs that were formerly part of property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz’s pub empire.

GMB: pubco tenants interests too disparate for industrial action

13-Sep-2011 By Ewan Turney

Trade Union the GMB claims the interests of tied tenants are “too disparate” for them to unite and take industrial action against pubcos — plus tenants fear the power of the pubcos.

St Austell re-opens Old Market House in Brixham

12-Sep-2011 By Ewan Turney

St Austell has re-opened the Old Market House in the fishing port of Brixham, Devon after a joint £1m investment with property firm Nirvana properties.

Call for pub planning changes

09-Sep-2011 By Michelle Perrett

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has called on the Government to give pubs more protection under planning laws.

An Ever So Sensible opening

08-Sep-2011 By The PMA Team

Managed multiple Ever So Sensible, run by former Mitchells & Butlers executive Chris Bulaitis, pictured, is opening up its second site in Lincoln.

Historic pub open again after refurb

08-Sep-2011 By Gurjit Degun

Greene King has re-opened the historic George Inn in south London after a sympathetic refurbishment.

Villagers’ petition to save local pub

05-Sep-2011 By Gurjit Degun

A village group has protested against Greene King’s application for planning permission to turn a village pub into housing.

Rent concessions down at Adnams

31-Aug-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Adnams, the Suffolk-based brewer and pub operator, has revealed that rent concessions for tenants have fallen in the past year.

46% of tied tenants earn under £15k pa

30-Aug-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Forty six per cent of tied pub tenants earn less than £15,000 per year, more than twice the proportion among free-of-tie licensees, according to a new study that urges Government action on the beer tie.

Gov't creates new enterprise zones

25-Aug-2011 By Gurjit Degun

New pubs and bars in parts of Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Essex and Kent are set to have lower business rates and fewer restrictions on planning...

Commercial leases 'the most flexible ever'

23-Aug-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Commercial landlords are offering "the most flexible lease regimes ever", leading to a greater take-up of longer leases. That's according to the British Property Federation's (BPF) Annual Lease Review for the Mary Portas high street...

Take advice on your lease

22-Aug-2011 By Peter Coulson

Professional advice is an essential requirement when looking to take on a pub lease, says Peter Coulson.

Christie appoints Owens to valuation role

19-Aug-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Christie + Co, the licensed property agent, has appointed Stephen Owens as head of the company's corporate pubs, bars and restaurants valuation and advisory team.

Jim Walsh funeral details released

19-Aug-2011 By Michelle Perrett

The funeral of respected pub operator and industry figure Jim Walsh will take place next Wednesday, 24 August at 1.30pm at Ampleforth Abbey in York....

Hosts hail freehold deals

19-Aug-2011 By PMA Reporters

Licensees who bought their freeholds from Punch Taverns two years ago say the move has paid off with bigger profits being achieved, allowing greater...

Craft Beer Co in talks over rollout

15-Aug-2011 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

The Craft Beer Co is believed to be in talks with a number of interested parties regarding funding to roll out the brand to further sites in London.

Lessee lands rent cut via arbitration

15-Aug-2011 By Ewan Turney

An Enterprise Inns lessee has achieved a reduction in rent at arbitration — and secured £18,000 in overpaid backdated rent. But the pubco said it...

Lees acquires Blue Moon pub

10-Aug-2011 By John Harrington

Manchester-based brewer and pub operator JW Lees has bought the freehold of a West Yorkshire pub from Blue Moon Pub Company, the firm run by former...

Rental values still in downward spiral

05-Aug-2011 By John Harrington

Pub rental values are still being hit by the economic decline that began in 2007 and it is difficult to predict when an uplift may occur. That's...

FPB: pubcos holding tenants to ransom

04-Aug-2011 By Michelle Perrett

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has called for stronger regulation of the pub trade claiming pubcos are holding tenants to ransom.

Faucet Inn acquires Ramsay's The Warrington

04-Aug-2011 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Faucet Inn, the London and south-east multiple headed by Steve Cox, has agreed to acquire The Warrington in London's Maida Vale from Gordon Ramsay...

Pubs in the zone for business boon

03-Aug-2011 By Gurjit Degun

New pubs and bars in parts of Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and Sheffield are set to have lower business rates and fewer restrictions on planning...

Rural pubs urged: make grant bids

03-Aug-2011 By Gurjit Degun

Rural pubs in Greater Manchester are being encouraged to apply for a new grant of up to £60,000 to fund any new refurbishments and developments....

Coulson: Dancing to a complex tune

02-Aug-2011 By Peter Coulson

The nature of the Lords' discussion on the Live Music Bill shows how complicated this area of the law has become, writes Peter Coulson.

Johnson's Draft House investment

02-Aug-2011 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Luke Johnson, the serial restaurant investor, has taken a substantial minority stake in Draft House, the three-strong London-based pub concept...

Inn the Pub to expand hotel base

02-Aug-2011 By Lesley Foottit

Lancashire based leisure company Inn the Pub is to focus on the expansion of its hotel operations over the next six months, with the opening of two...

Coulson: Unharmonious PPL proposal

29-Jul-2011 By Peter Coulson

The PPL proposal for a massive hike in featured music fees is extraordinary and has understandably elicited howls of protest, writes Peter Coulson.

Coulson: Test purchasing back in spotlight

27-Jul-2011 By Peter Coulson

A standardised approach to test purchasing would be welcomed if it benefits licensees and trainers, writes Peter Coulson.

Coulson: Someone has a screw loose

22-Jul-2011 By Peter Coulson

In contrast to my recent article about ambulance-chasing lawyers and trumped-up claims, this week sees the other side of the legal coin, writes Peter Coulson.

Peach Pub Company vows to get 22 pubs

20-Jul-2011 By Lesley Foottit

Peach Pub Company, the 14-strong Oxfordshire-based group, has vowed to reach its goal of operating 22 pubs by 2013, as it reported a 7% rise in sales...

GK pays £1.25m for Hungry Horse site

20-Jul-2011 By Gurjit Degun

Greene King has paid £1.25m for a 99-year lease to set up a Hungry Horse pub and restaurant at the Pipeworks retail and leisure development in...

Tuppen: we have not misled tenants

08-Jul-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Enterprise Inns chief executive Ted Tuppen refuted claims that his company had misled tenants at yesterday's Business, Innovation and Skills...

Hosts get more time for energy changes

06-Jul-2011 By Gurjit Degun

Licensees have been given yet more time to adhere to new regulations to advertise a full energy-efficiency certificate for their pub on all marketing...