Operations

First televised matches of new Premier League season unveiled.

10-Jul-2017 By Michelle Perrett

The Premier League season will launch on Friday 11 August at 7.45pm with Sky Sports covering new Arsenal signing Alexandre Lacazette’s first competitive game for the Gunners against Leicester.

Sky Sports announces new programme line-up across 10 channels

10-Jul-2017 By Helen Gilbert

Sky Sports is expanding its service with two extra sports channels for its commercial customers.

Trade urged to ‘Open up, not bottle up' as part of new LTC campaign

10-Jul-2017 By Helen Gilbert

Pub operators are to receive information kits showcasing the help that is available for pub workers experiencing personal or family problems. 

Game plan: keep the drama on screen when you show football

10-Jul-2017 By Jo Bruce

Football and other major sporting events bring pubs lucrative sales opportunities, especially for those located near football grounds or those that screen big events.

50th co-operative pub opens in Theresa May’s constituency

07-Jul-2017 By Georgina Townshend

A local in Prime Minister Theresa May’s constituency has become the 50th co-operative pub in the UK after residents rallied together to save the community site.

Slamming weekend of sport includes Lions finale and Wimbledon

07-Jul-2017 By Georgina Townshend

This weekend is full of sport from the finale of the British Lions Tour, to the midway point of Wimbledon.

Pub hosts industry career day for school children

06-Jul-2017 By Georgina Townshend

An award-winning pub in Northumberland has hosted a pub career day for local schoolchildren to learn more about job prospects within the industry. 

Sports pubs looking to benefit from British & Irish Lions Test finale

06-Jul-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Pubs opening early for the British & Irish Lions third Test on 8 July will be hoping for another weekend of strong beer sales, after soaring drinks sales for the previous two weekends of rugby matches.

Pug Pubs puts expansion plans on hold

05-Jul-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Pug Pubs, the three-strong pub chain, has put plans for rapid expansion on the backburner to focus on its current operation.

BT Sport secures deal to become ‘home of elite rugby’ until 2022

04-Jul-2017 By Claire Churchard

BT Sport has sealed a deal to live broadcast the European Rugby Champions Cup and the European Rugby Challenge Cup, starting with the 2018/19 season and running until at least 2021/22.

Pub crawl to the ends of the Earth

03-Jul-2017 By Fred A'Court

A team of adventurers are going to the ends of the Earth to find the world’s northernmost and southernmost pub or bar - all with the help of a Dartmoor brewery that is on the hunt for new styles of beer.

John Smith's signs on as headline Great British Pub Awards sponsor

03-Jul-2017 By Michelle Perrett

John Smith’s has been unveiled as the headline sponsor for the Great British Pub Awards for the next three years.  

Rare 250-year-old receipt unearths 'great coaching inn days'

30-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The discovery of a rare 18th-century receipt from the oldest pub in Stafford includes the purchase of two breakfasts, supper, stables and pints of ale – totalling around 60p in today’s money.

British & Irish Lions return for second Test match

30-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Another weekend of sport will see the second match in the British & Irish Lions Test series in Wellington, as well as the tennis final from Eastbourne.

Open house event launched to celebrate London Bridge and Borough Market

30-Jun-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

London operators and customers alike are being urged to come together in London Bridge and Borough Market this Saturday (1 July) in support of local businesses following the terror attack in the area.

Great British Pub Awards 2017 finalists unveiled

29-Jun-2017 By Michelle Perrett

The finalists have been announced for the Great British Pub Awards 2017.  

Bar manager sacked after Grenfell Tower fundraiser cancellation

29-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The manager of a Shoreditch bar has been sacked after a Grenfell Tower charity night was cancelled, following comments the night would “attract a poor-quality demographic”.

Sports pubs’ beer sales rise following opening Lions Test

29-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Publicans who opened their doors early to show the opening British and Irish Lions Test match reaped the benefits, with beer volumes up 4% compared to the same Saturday last year.

'Oldest community-owned' pub celebrates 20th anniversary

28-Jun-2017 By Fred A'Court

What is believed to be the longest running community-owned pub in the UK celebrates its 20th anniversary on Saturday (1 July).

Pubs and bars host fundraiser for Grenfell Tower victims

28-Jun-2017 By Fred A'Court

In a show of united community spirit, some of London’s top bars are throwing a fundraising event to support victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Publican responds to complaints over 'sexist' art work

28-Jun-2017 By Fred A'Court

Little did he realise how true it was when new licensee Mike Hales wrote on his website ‘It’s all going on at The Top Lock.’

Pub awarded zoo licence after two and a half year wait

28-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

A pub in Kent has finally been given the go ahead to open a fully-fledged zoo in its grounds after a two-and-a-half-year licensing battle.

Do pub staff have to wear underwear?

28-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Pubs are entitled to have dress codes in place and can expect their staff to look smart and professional at all times. But, how far can the stipulations go?

Pubs asked to support a celebrity led campaign for homeless people

27-Jun-2017 By Fred A'Court

Pubs are being asked to support a celebrity led campaign for homeless people worldwide by hosting fundraising candlelit feasts this winter.

Maximising Sport in Pubs: book your place now!

27-Jun-2017 By Ed Bedington

Pubs looking to make the most from their sports offer are being offered a great opportunity to learn more at a fantastic event in London.

Pub helps provide villagers with superfast broadband

27-Jun-2017 By Fred A'Court

The current holder of The Morning Advertiser-organised Great British Pub of the Year Award is set to become the 'hub' of its village.

Action group 'on the verge' of regaining pub

27-Jun-2017 By Fred A'Court

Villagers may be on the verge of getting their pub back after a 14-year battle involving a brewery, their local MP, a five-day public enquiry and council planning officers.

PRS licence reminder following pub ban

27-Jun-2017 By Ed Bedington

Operators are being warned to ensure they are fully licensed to play music in venues after one licensee was hit with a bill for £3,200 and banned from playing music.

Technology: How pubs can take advantage of mobile phones

26-Jun-2017 By James Evison

As the UK becomes a ‘smartphone society’, how can pubs take advantage of the opportunity.

The Big Interview: Craft Union's Frazer Grimbleby

26-Jun-2017 By Ed Bedington

At the time the smoking ban came into force, many suggested it was the final nail in the coffin of the traditional wet-led pub. But 10 years on, a new operation has emerged which is leading the crusade to put wet led back on the menu.

British & Irish Lions 'roaring' to go

23-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

With the Lions ready to meet the All Blacks, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the final of Queen's Club tennis, the weekend is looking good for sports entertainment.

Pub Skills: retain your best staff

23-Jun-2017 By Jo Faragher

Recruitment is a perennial problem for pub employers. But what if your staff wanted to stay, the good ones at least. Improving your employee retention with career growth, training and seasonal worker support is a sure-fire way to reduce your hiring burden.

M&A activity in next few years depends on 'realistic sellers'

23-Jun-2017 By James Wallin, MCA

M&A activity in the pub sector is still likely over the next two years, although sellers must ensure they have realistic expectations, according to Sapient Corporate Finance founder, Peter Hansen.

Recruit from within UK, industry leaders tell MCA conference

21-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

With Brexit talks underway and the potential for tighter immigration limits on the horizon, a panel of industry leaders emphasised the importance of recruiting more people from the UK.

Seven things pubs can do to attract elusive Generation Z

21-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The latest challenge for pub owners is attracting Generation Z, people aged 18 to 24, who are addicted to technology and their phones.

BBPA calls for robust transitional arrangements as Brexit talks begin

21-Jun-2017 By Fred A'Court

As Brexit talks began this week, The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has set out its stance on what are expected to be two years of complicated and difficult negotiations between the UK and the rest of the EU.

Warning after pub’s garden furniture ‘explodes’ in heatwave

20-Jun-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

An Essex operator has warned others in the trade to be aware of “exploding” garden furniture during the UK’s heatwave.

London Bridge pubs to receive 'discretionary' rates relief

20-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Pubs affected by the police cordon that closed a large area of London Bridge and Borough Market following the terror attack on 3 June are being offered business rates relief from Southwark Council.

Police appeal after petrol bomb thrown at bar

20-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Owners of a South Shields bar have been left “shaken” after a petrol bomb was thrown through the window of their venue on Sunday night.

Scottish licensees ordered to pay £10,000 over illegal broadcasts

19-Jun-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Two licensees in Scotland have each been ordered to pay £10,000 after being found to be infringing Sky’s copyright by showing Sky Sports without a licence. 

A breath of fresh air: how the smoking ban has changed the pub trade

19-Jun-2017 By Claire Churchard & Georgina Townshend

The smoking ban became a fact in England on 1 July 2007 with an unprecedented impact for pubs. But how has the trade changed in the past 10 years since it came into force?

OBE honour ‘recognises work of many people’ says Beds & Bars founder

19-Jun-2017 By Claire Churchard

The Queen unveiled her birthday honours list at the weekend with the news that she has awarded Beds & Bars CEO and founder Keith Knowles an OBE for services to the community and charity.

Bar staff insider: a time and a place to chat

19-Jun-2017 By Bar staff insider

We all love a chat. As a member of bar staff, or as a customer but, and this is a big but, there's a time and a place.

‘Pre-election jitters’ partly responsible for dip in managed pub trade

19-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Britain’s managed pub operators saw a 0.7% dip in like-for-like sales in May compared to the same month last year, according to the latest figures from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Rugby dominates this weekend’s sport

16-Jun-2017 By MA Editorial

The British & Irish Lions' fifth match in the tour will be a scene setter for the big Test game against New Zealand on 24 June.

Sky price rise limited to 5% to account for spiralling business rates

16-Jun-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Sky has revealed that it is to increase prices from 1 August 2017, but promised that no pub would see an increase of more than 5%.

My Pub: The Anchor at Walberswick

14-Jun-2017 By Phil Mellows

The Anchor at Walberswick sits in an idyllic spot overlooking Suffolk’s coastal marshlands; its expansive gardens rolling down to the beach. Yet it wasn’t until Mark and Sophie Dorber took charge of the Adnams Brewery-owned outlet a dozen years ago that...

BII Licensee of the Year revealed

13-Jun-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Mark Higgs of the Castle at Edgehill in Banbury, Warwickshire, has won this year’s British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) Licensee of the Year award at the institute’s annual summer event.

CMA finds Heineken-Punch deal ‘reduces competition in 33 areas’

13-Jun-2017 By Claire Churchard

Heineken’s proposed acquisition of 1,900 Punch pubs “could reduce competition in 33 areas across Britain”, according to an initial investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Managed drink-led pubs achieve ‘striking’ 8.7% growth

12-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Rising business costs and difficult trading conditions have put the brakes on overall pub openings in the UK, but managed drinks-led community pubs and branded pubs have bucked the trend by continuing to expand, according to CGA Peach.