Staffing

A cut above the rest

24-Jun-2011 By Phil Mellows

He introduced the tailor-made steak to Britain, but it has been a rocky road to success for South African Ted Docherty, as Phil Mellows discovers.

Creating happy customers

23-Jun-2011 By Sheila McWattie

Hayley Bayes, licensee at the Ram in Firle, East Sussex, tells Sheila McWattie about kids, dogs, horses, muddy boots, excellent beer, great wine and...

First all-woman team completes Everards' Gold Course

21-Jun-2011 By Adam Pescod

A team of seven female licensees has become the first ever all-woman team to complete Everards' prestigious Gold Course and create its own beer.

Women 1st secures funding for training workers

21-Jun-2011 By Adam Pescod

Women 1st has secured new government funding which will enable an additional 300 female workers within the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism (HLTT) industry to receive specialised training and mentoring.

IPC chairman queries BII role

20-Jun-2011 By Michelle Perrett

Independent Pub Confederation chairman Bill Sharp questioned the role of the BII as the policeman of the codes of practice.

BII backs code policing

20-Jun-2011 By Michelle Perrett

British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) chief executive Neil Robertson has defended the organisation's policing of the codes.

Pub food: business boosters

15-Jun-2011 By PubChef

Ideas for driving food and drink sales including a meet the butcher event and seasonal business lunches.

BII mentor service for all members

14-Jun-2011 By Adam Pescod

The BII is launching a mentoring service that will offer extra support to all its members in dealing with the demands of the pub trade.

BII's call to tied tenants over machine income

02-Jun-2011 By Ewan Turney

The BII has urged tied tenants to be aware of how pubcos are treating machine income in regard to rental negotiations.

10 ideas for...female pub attractions

02-Jun-2011 By Sheila McWattie

Sheila McWattie looks at ideas to give women what they want from your menu — from ladies nights to ale education.

The Garrison: make the host of it

27-May-2011 By Jessica Harvey

Clive Watson and Adam White, co-owners of the Garrison, a friendly, Michelin-tipped gastropub.

Can the BII ever be an impartial policeman?

27-May-2011 By Robert Sayles

Robert Sayles questions whether the BII is the right body to police the industry in his latest Publican's Morning Advertiser blog.

Al's coaching tips: knowledge is power

24-May-2011 By Alastair Scott

This month Alastair Scott looks at how staff expertise is vital to help your pub prosper in terms of food service.

Fuller's pays for tenants to join BII

20-May-2011 By Ewan Turney

Fuller's is the first to pay for all of its tenants to be members of the BII for the duration of their stay with the company.

RPI leases: get your maths right

20-May-2011 By Daniel Mackernan

The pubcos have increasingly introduced RPI leases, but tenants need to take an appropriate view on the initial rent, argues Daniel Mackernan of...

Perc up your profits

19-May-2011 By Lesley Foottit

PubChef looks at how a tea and cake offer can help drive afternoon sales at your business and what's new.

Clawing back your losses

18-May-2011 By Peter Coulson

Some licensees may not be aware of is the controversy surrounding the whole question of civil recovery, says Peter Coulson.

Family pubs: learning from the big boys

17-May-2011 By Michelle Perrett

Taking kids to the pub is a nice idea, but it can become an uncomfortable ordeal. Michelle Perrett looks at what experienced operators can teach pubs...

Business boosters: Month of love, Beer Academy & Tea-time club

16-May-2011 By Lesley Foottit

PubChef takes an in-depth look at an array of good ideas out there to help you boost your food business.

Britvic: working on a warmer welcome

12-May-2011 By Phil Mellows

Britvic's Paul Linthwaite believes pubs can do more to improve their hospitality and that soft drinks are key to making customers feel they belong.

BII Licensee of the Year: It's the final countdown

10-May-2011 By PMA Reporter

Read our profiles of the enterprising finalists who are all in with a chance of winning the 2011 BII's Licensee of the Year Award today.

Lingley crowned BII Licensee of the Year

10-May-2011 By Gurjit Degun

Darran Lingley of the Five Bells in Colne Engaine, Colchester, Essex, has been named the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) licensee of the year.

Top tips on how to recruit for pub staff

09-May-2011 By Dawn Redman

Recruitment costs are the bane of many operators' lives, but a few changes to recruitment and retention methods can mean significant reductions,...

Business boosters: fashion shows and cheese and wine

06-May-2011 By Lesley Foottit

PubChef takes a look at some top ideas for driving food sales at your pub — featuring wine and cheese nights and a fashion show.

All the fun of the wine fair

05-May-2011 By Robyn Black

This year's London International Wine Fair — 17-19 May — promises so much more than just some wines to try, reports Robyn Black.

Pub food: business boosters

04-May-2011 By PubChef

Ideas for driving food and drink sales at your pub including a corner shop. a time-specific promotion and psychic readings. Corner shop Where:...

BII offers pubs a mediation 'lifeline'

28-Apr-2011 By Ewan Turney

A former pubco tenant has hailed the BII's new mediation service as a "lifeline" after he clawed back £34,000 from his pub company.

Potential of pub and bar snacks

27-Apr-2011 By Lesley Foottit

There's £400m of potential snack sales being lost every year through pubs, but Lesley Foottit has some ideas to help boost sales. Gone are the days...

What a 5% VAT rate would mean for me

26-Apr-2011 By Ewan Turney

As the PMA's campaign to reduce VAT to 5% for the hospitality sector continues, four multiple operators tell Ewan Turney that a cut would help create...

Innovate: Notts pub offers 1981 prices for Royal Wedding

26-Apr-2011 By Gurjit Degun

Roy Wood, of the Cross Keys, Upton, Nottinghamshire, has decided to offer drinks at 1981 prices for the royal wedding. "Everyone is doing themed...

Ginger cheer: growth in pubs

21-Apr-2011 By Robyn Black

From soft drinks to spirits, ginger is the ubiquitous flavour of the moment at venues throughout the UK. Robyn Black examines the reasons for its...

Pub food: business boosters

20-Apr-2011 By PubChef

Ideas for driving food sales at your pub including a ladies' lunch, stitch and bitch evenings and a senior citizen lunch club.

Adapting to changing drinks market

19-Apr-2011 By Tony Halstead

What strategies are operators adopting to survive pre-loading, the recession and the shift to more Saturday night trade? Tony Halstead reports.

Here comes summer: opportunity for pubs

18-Apr-2011 By Sonya Hook

Summer is a big opportunity for licensees to cash in by offering a range of drinks and food to suit the great outdoors, reports Sonya Hook.

Success at the Saddle Inn

15-Apr-2011 By Graham Rowson

Graham Rowson tells Sonya Hook how focusing on community events, families and summer activities drives trade at his countryside pub.

A grape opportunity: wine in pubs

14-Apr-2011 By PMA reporter

Pubs lose out on 60% of potential wine sales, so we've joined forces with WaverleyTBS wine experts to help you grab some of those lost sales.

Big ideas for pub trading

13-Apr-2011 By Tony Halstead

Pubs are under increasing pressure to come up with plans to boost business in a tough environment. Tony Halstead asks a range of licensees to name...

Pub food: business boosters

12-Apr-2011 By PubChef

Ideas for driving food and drink sales at your pub including £5 meals, beer-tasting plates and a two-for-one dining promotion. £5 meals Where:...

Providing pub employee references and recruiting

11-Apr-2011 By Kimbells Solicitors

Kimbells Solicitors clear up the confusion over providing employee references and recruiting now that the job market is picking up again.

Protection money for pubs

08-Apr-2011 By Michelle Perrett

Adequate insurance is absolutely vital for pubs. Michelle Perrett finds out how to obtain the best cover at a good price and avoid the pitfalls.

Small wonder at the Butcher's Arms

07-Apr-2011 By Phil Mellows

Martyn Hillier did more than open a pub when the Butcher's Arms launched in 2005 — he started the micro-pub movement, reports Phil Mellows.

Something for everyone at the Farm Tavern

06-Apr-2011 By Sheila McWattie

Chef Zoë Rodgers tells Sheila McWattie about making sure vegetarian and vegan food share star billing at Sussex's Farm Tavern. How we got here I...

Build up the buzz: energy drinks in pubs

05-Apr-2011 By Robyn Black

There is still plenty of scope left for growth in the energy-drink sector, particularly in the on-trade, reports Robyn Black.

Inside out: outdoor furniture for pubs

04-Apr-2011 By Sonya Hook

Sonya Hook reports on ways to maximise pub gardens' potential as we head into spring and summer.

Taking the Bull pub by the horns

01-Apr-2011 By Tony Halstead

Licensee Karen Hunter tells Tony Halstead how she turns over £280,000 a year at the remote Black Bull, in Etal, Northumberland, despite business...

Mother of all opportunities for pubs

29-Mar-2011 By Robyn Black

Licensees should see Mother's Day not just as a day to bank big money but as a long-term business-builder, reports Robyn Black.

New pub drink: RTD and cocktails

28-Mar-2011 By Sonya Hook

Sonya Hook discovers the recent wave of RTD launches could represent the beginning of a rather fruity alliance with swish cocktails.

Inn at the Station: full steam ahead

25-Mar-2011 By Tony Halstead

Licensee Louise Clough tells Tony Halstead how a major makeover and Thwaites' Beer Hero concept has helped her beat competition at the pub.

BII plans financing boost for licensees

25-Mar-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

The BII is eyeing plans to facilitate small-scale financing for licensees and pub owners, via a third party, for those who make a good business case.

BII calls for trade pros to join 'approved list'

14-Mar-2011 By John Harrington, M&C Report

The BII has issued a call for licensed trade professionals to apply to join its "approved list" of advisors to licensees and pub owners. The BII,...