Staffing

Anthony Pender named BII chairman

20-Nov-2014 By James Wallin

Yummy Pub Company co-founder Anthony Pender has been unveiled as the new chairman of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII).

Q&A: Adding boutique letting rooms to your pub

05-Nov-2014 By Andy Nash

Many pubs are looking at adding letting rooms to their existing offer, but how do you stand out from the crowd and compete against hotels and budget accommodation? Andy Nash, operations director at Young's Hotels - which operates a group of pubs...

Paying tax: Bending the rules could prove costly

31-Oct-2014 By Jason Piper

With swathes of taxation, red tape and bureaucracy seemingly smothering the efforts of licensees to make a decent living, the temptation to bend the rules a little can seem attractive. But such a course could prove a costly mistake. Jason Piper lifts...

How clean is your pub?

27-Oct-2014 By Alison Baker

The Publican's Morning Advertiser looks at the cleaning necessities, from a health inspector's point of view, on how to make sure your pub is as hygienic and clean as possible.

Tips to help avoid allergen trouble

24-Oct-2014 By Poppleston Allen

The new Allergy Awareness Regulations have come into force - this is very relevant, bearing in mind that one in 50 young infants has a nut allergy and one adult in 100 has a food allergy of some description.

Five minute guide to Champagne, Prosecco and Cava

16-Oct-2014 By Matt Walls

It may, in the past, have been associated with indulgence and special occasions, but all that is changing. Sparkling wine is now the fastest growing drinks category in the country, and as Matt Walls points out, it shows no signs of slowing down.

Big Interview: Tim Hulme, British Institute of Innkeeping

16-Oct-2014 By John Harrington

Tim Hulme has had a big task on his hands turning around the BII, but he’s adamant that progress has been made as he targets further reform and growth for the organisation. Hulme also has bold ambitions for the pub sector as a whole, as John Harrington...

Movember: how pubs can get behind the charity drive

15-Oct-2014 By Sheila McWattie

You don't need to be a hairy hipster to take part in Movember, but an aspiration to become one may help. Sheila McWattie looks at the lengths some men go to in tackling health challenges, with plenty of help from their female friends.

Report urges hospitality sector to look beyond young workforce

14-Oct-2014 By James Wallin

The pub sector has been warned that it cannot continue to rely on under-25s to solve its recruitment woes.

Whisky masterclass: make the most of your offering

13-Oct-2014 By Dominic Roskrow

Are you making the most of your whisky offering? The Publican's Morning Advertiser provides a few pointers

Milkshakes: How to boost your GP

10-Oct-2014 By Nigel Huddleston

Milkshakes are not just drinks for children. Nigel Huddleston adds a double shot of spirit and shows how on-trend hard shakes can boost your GP.

BII chief hints at extending membership services

08-Oct-2014 By John Harrington, M&C Report

The BII could provide services for leisure and hospitality operators beyond its traditional publican base, chief executive Tim Hulme has said.

Gaming machines: Q&A

06-Oct-2014 By Poppleston Allen

'Can you have a Fixed Odds Betting Terminal (FOBT) in a pub?', and other questions, answered by the Publican Morning Advertiser's legal writers.

Road test: BII Pre-Entry Awareness Training

02-Oct-2014 By Mike Berry

Earlier this year, the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) launched its revised Pre-Entry Awareness Training (PEAT) for budding licensees. The Publican’s Morning Advertiser team road tested the online course and gives its verdict.

BII launches search for new chairman

01-Oct-2014 By James Wallin

The BII (British Institute of Innkeeping) has begun its search for a new chairman.

Top tips for Halloween & Bonfire Night

30-Sep-2014 By Phil Mellows

Phil Mellows speaks to licensees and brand owners to find out ways pubs can increase footfall during both Halloween and Bonfire Night.

BII East Midlands appoints new acting chairman

30-Sep-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Licensing consultant Michael Kheng has been appointed acting chair of the East Midlands region of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII).

Master and apprentice: Mike Clist & Tom Davies

29-Sep-2014 By Mike Berry

For two of the winners at the Publican Awards earlier this year, being recognised as the best in the industry was a particularly noteworthy moment and warranted a special celebration. Mike Berry met the award winners to find out more.

MA300: BII Licensee of the Year reveals seaside trading tips

29-Sep-2014 By Mike Berry

British Institute of InnKeeping (BII) Licensee of the Year Lee Price emphasised the importance of treating all differing segments of your customer base with equal value.

Preparing for Christmas

18-Sep-2014 By Phil Mellows

As memories of a sunshiny summer dim, folk are already turning their thoughts to the festive season. And publicans need to be ahead of them. The PMA finds out how leading operators are preparing for Christmas.

A lack of able, skilled and willing staff

05-Sep-2014 By Ashley McCarthy

Hospitality is one of the biggest employers in the country, but can we fill jobs with the skilled staff that we need? Not from my side of the fence we can’t, bemoans Ashley McCarthy.

Training bodies team up to tackle underage sales

03-Sep-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Three of the UK’s top licensing-training organisations have teamed up with Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC) to help staff tackle the issue of underage sales.

Top Tips

5 reasons to offer free Wi-Fi at your pub

22-Aug-2014 By Poppleston Allen

Free Wi-Fi has become widely available in all sorts of locations during the past few years. Customers visiting pubs are beginning to expect free Wi-Fi as part of their experience. Here are a five reasons why you should offer the service.

Star trains mystery shoppers to spot pint perfection

19-Aug-2014 By Mike Berry

Star Pub & Bars is training 80 mystery shoppers to be able to recognise the perfect pint across the pub company’s estate.

National Minimum Wage - what you need to know

14-Aug-2014 By Adam Bernstein

HMRC is naming and shaming pubs, hotels and restaurants that pay below the national minimum wage. The PMA looks at recent changes and how this may affect your business

9 tips for spotting fake booze

06-Aug-2014 By Poppleston Allen

As pub owners or operators, you might not consider your premises to be on the radar of the regulatory authorities in same way as the off-trade. But trading standards, the police, and HMRC regularly carry out spot-checks of bars, pubs and restaurants on...

The chance to make a meaningful change

06-Aug-2014 By Simon Clarke

Following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report, prior to the Beer Orders 1989, it seemed the industry was going to be reformed after three previous investigations. But The Brewers Society submitted proposals and all six recommendations were watered...

The Big Interview: Mike Benner, SIBA

06-Aug-2014 By Roger Protz

In June Mike Benner left the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) after 20 years of campaigning, to take up his new post as managing director of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). He talks to Roger Protz about the value of a good beer.

Testing times for underage sales in pubs

30-Jul-2014 By Mike Berry

With new figures showing pubs have fallen well behind the off-trade when it comes to carrying out age verification checks, Mike Berry went out with test purchasing company Serve Legal to find out more.

You must open up to beat mental disorder

28-Jul-2014 By Tim McKenna

Publican Tim McKenna opens up about his mental health problems and how he found the support he needed.

How to get people to the pub

16-Jul-2014 By Andrew Don

Drinking outside the home has fallen almost 10%, the latest government figures confirm. Andrew Don asks what more publicans can do to try to reverse this trend

How to deal with workplace relationships

16-Jul-2014 By Andrew Don

Staff affairs can have undesirable results, especially if love hits the rocks and trade and morale suffer, so it is wise to take a stance on romance says Andrew Don

Report highlights hospitality sector's recruitment challenges

14-Jul-2014 By John Harrington

The hospitality and tourism industry's recruitment difficulties are “ostensibly a retention problem”, with labour turnover across the sector now at 20%, according to People 1st.

National Pubwatch and BII launch new online toolkit

07-Jul-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

National Pubwatch and the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) have teamed up to develop a new online toolkit, to provide Pubwatch members with advice and guidance on issues which affect the trade.

How to find the right wholesaler

03-Jul-2014 By Fiona McLelland

When it comes to selecting a wholesaler to service your business, there’s a whole new world of experienced operators and new kids on the block to choose from. And, the PMA discovered, they each have something different to offer

10 social media tips for pubs

25-Jun-2014 By Poppleston Allen

The way people communicate is changing at an alarming rate. The particular growth area is photos — Snapchat, Instagram and similar sites are the new frontier of online communication. No doubt many of your customers will be taking and sharing photos in...

BII Licensee of the Year says Britain will never adapt to 'cafe culture'

18-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

Twenty-four hour licensing was a worthwhile but ultimately flawed experiment, according to one of the first licensees in Wales to open around the clock.

7 key points on expanding your business

16-Jun-2014 By Poppleston Allen

Many operators are looking for new ways to boost their business; you may have a pub with spare rooms which you want to start letting, or you may want to add an extension or roof terrace. Before you start the project you should consider what you are currently...

Meeting the challenges of living up to my BII award

09-Jun-2014 By Lee Price

I’ve been taking a lot of flack from regulars about my acceptance speech to a roomful of industry professionals at London’s Grosvenor Hotel after winning the BII Licensee of the Year award (LOYA). “No speeches, thanks,” was host John Inverdale’s opening....

Children in pubs: Licensing law

29-May-2014 By Poppleston Allen

It is important to remember the legal responsibilities under licensing law concerning the presence of children in your premises. Pub Licensing specialists Poppleston Allen lay down the law.

Top tips for pubs on driving midweek custom

28-May-2014 By Felicity Allen

With news that weekday visits are now driving the growth in footfall for many pubs, now is the time for operators to keep that momentum going by planning marketing tactics that grow customer spend once they’re in the door. Here are some top marketing...

Top tips on pub bingo

20-May-2014 By Poppleston Allen

Bingo in pubs is becoming increasingly popular and can be a way of providing a fun, alternative form of entertainment for your customers while potentially increasing food and drink sales. Eyes down for some top tips from licensing specialists Poppleston...

Expert insight: Interior design tips for pubs

14-May-2014 By Abi Perry-Jones

Licensees need to get in touch with their inner peacock to capitalise on the latest interior design trends, according to Abi Perry-Jones, principal interior design consultant at Catering Design Group.

Drinks Trends: Flavour & Infusion - essential drinks for pubs

14-May-2014 By Jessica Mason

One of the best ways for drinks companies to ensure long-term growth is through the launch of variants designed to hook new consumers. Here, we take a look at the drinks no pub should be without.

BII chief unveils major changes

13-May-2014 By James Wallin

The chief executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) today unveiled his vision for a complete overhaul of the organisation - including a new structure, constitution and a bid for 'chartered status'.

BrewDog double award winners at BII Scotland event, two years on from 'Trophygate'

13-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

BrewDog scooped two awards at the BII Scotland ceremony this week, two years after an embarrassing debacle at the same event.

Labour management and the importance of forecasting for pubs

12-May-2014 By Alastair Scott

Labour management is perhaps one of the less exciting topics in the licensed retail industry, but is vitally importantfor all publicans. In the first of a series of articles, Alastair Scott, owner of Malvern Inns and founder of S4Labour, a labour management...

E-cigarettes in pubs - to vape or not to vape

09-May-2014 By Phil Mellows

The explosion in the use of electronic cigarettes has handed pub operators a dilemma in terms of whether or not to allow ‘vaping’ indoors. The Publican's Morning Advertiser takes a look at the practice and analyses the latest tobacco trends

BII accounts show membership fall but promise 'exciting' year ahead

09-May-2014 By John Harrington

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has revealed plans for major changes in 2014 including a brand relaunch, new benefits to members and a new constitution giving a “leaner and more responsive decision-making process”.

5 of the Best Summer Drinks Trends in 2014

08-May-2014 By Jessica Mason

Being obsessed with the weather is a very British thing. However, sunshine sells drinks, so it’s also a big business interest for those who run pubs and bars.According to Met Office advice, “we should plan for a broader range of climatic conditions” and...