Music licence battle goes on
For as long as I can remember, there has been a battle royal between the main copyright agencies and the licensed trade over the level of fees which...
Archives for October 3, 2007
The three-year itch
This is the time when every local council in England and Wales should be consulting with the licensed trade on changes they propose to make to their...
Tough quarter-final for England
At times it has looked unlikely that England would actually make it through the group stages of the Rugby World Cup. But Brian Ashton's patched-up...
What women want
The smoking ban was supposed to herald the end of the male-dominated boozer, but women will still need tempting in, says Punch beer & cider...
Real ale returns to Camra's local
After a long wait real ale has come back to the Rats Castle
BarTalk
How will England fare against Australia in the Rugby World Cup? Brendan Whelan Black Bull Folkestone Kent I hope they win, but it is going to be a...
£1m turnover pub for sale
A Surrey gastropub with a turnover in excess of £1m has come on to the market. The Percy Arms is located in the village of Chilworth, three miles...
Awards scheme under fire
PUBLICANS HAVE complained bitterly about an awards scheme which costs more than £100 - and leaves them with little in return.More than 70 pubs have...
MyShout
The smoking ban presents an opportunity to attract potential pub-goers, says David Elliott I was lucky enough to be able to buy a couple of tickets...
Free spirit
Author Michael Jackson was widely known as the Beer Hunter, but it was his passion for Scotch whisky that first hooked Andrew Jefford I will miss...
Ale is the new Christmas pud
Adrian Tierney-Jones samples a range of seasonal beers to tempt trade Christmas comes but once a year, but it's a bumper time for customers as far as...
Break with tradition
Fiona Sims suggests wines to wow customers and complement your festive menu I know Port isn't just supposed to be for Christmas, but it seems to...
NEWS OF THE BREWS
Pumpkin Ale & Poacher's Choice Dorset brewer Hall & Woodhouse has launched two new bottled beers in the Badger range - Pumpkin Ale and...
Blanket glass ban defeated
Attempts to introduce a blanket glass ban in south Northamptonshire have been defeated. The campaign to go polycarbonate was launched by police,...
Chris Maclean: New York bars are smoke (and choke) free
There were several aspects of bar life that I was particularly interested in. Of particular concern was the fact that New York was one of the first...
Spirit offers 7% of Christmas Day take
Bonuses are being offered to managers at hundreds of Spirit Group pubs to open on the evening of Christmas Day. Managers at most of its 300 local...
Pubfolio puts 340 sites on market
340 tenanted pubs owned by Pubfolio are on the market for £100m
Legal advice: supply chains
The recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth and bluetongue disease in livestock have raised people's awareness about the origins of our food. We have had...
Don't duck out on cask ale
Psychologists maintain that a positive mental attitude can help transcend many of life's troubles. And the leading lights of the brewing world,...
Drinks watchdog slams Holby City
Portman Group accuses BBC´s Holby City of irresponsible portrayal of excessive and rapid drinking
An eco-friendly welcome
JD Wetherspoon has thrown down the gauntlet to the corporate green brigade in a big way. Last week the pubco lifted the curtain on arguably the most...
Growing real ale sales: the report you MUST read
New research says it's a landmark moment for real ale. The MA teamed up with leading industry figures to discuss its potential for pubs. Noli...
Pubfolio puts 340 pubs on market
A total of 340 tenanted pubs owned by Pubfolio, whose sites are managed by County Estate Management, are on the market with an asking price of around...
Coors reports growth in Carling
Coors Brewers, the UK's second-largest brewer with 21% of the market, has reported growth in its key Carling brand, which accounts for more than 75%...
Sam Pedder, head of food at Admiral Taverns
Top tips for success 1. Start with staff. Systems for procedures such as bookings and sittings need to be implemented and explained to every staff...
Cool operator
Refrigeration specialist Husky recently celebrated its 50th birthday. Graham Ridout learns how the company has grown from humble beginnings into a...
Pick of the pubs
The Queen Victoria, in the village of Shalford, Surrey, is next to the train station halfway between Guildford and Godalming. The business is split...
Reviving profits
Following the poor summer, pubs really need to make the most of the festive season. Nigel Huddleston kicks off a four-page special with a look at...
New BII qualification for youngsters is launched
Schools and the licensed trade are joining forces to educate youngsters about alcohol, thanks to a new BII qualification. Launched at the Phoenix...
25 Ways To Improve The Pub Industry
Service standardsOne of the pub trade's weakest points but also the easiest to solve. You don't have to talk to customers at length, but a pleasant...
Box clever with the LTC
One of the Licensed Trade Charity's (LTC) most eagerly anticipated events - its Annual Charity Boxing Tournament - is drawing near and tickets are...
Financing refurbishments
Licensee Bruce Randall is considering refurbishing his outdoor area and wants to know if the best way to borrow money is from his pubco in return...
the licensee's approach
Lee McDonagh, general manager of the Queen's, Primrose Hill, north London, offers some festive survival tips On the menu Starters: truffled...
Cognetas writes down Novus Leisure investment by £60m
The private equity group which owns Tiger Tiger operator Novus Leisure has revalued its investment in the company from the equivalent of nearly £80m...
Paul Jeffreys, catering development manager at Young's
Top tips for success 1. Plan well in advance. Your menus should already be out - if they aren't, tackle this as soon as possible. 2. Promote your...
Licensing@aol.com
Door staff requirement Q Under "mandatory conditions" on our licence, it states that any door staff must be Security Industry Authority (SIA)...
Marston's profits hit by flooding costs
Marston's, the Midlands-based brewer, has warned that its pre-tax profit will be "slightly below" original expectations as a result of the wet...
City diary
Blowing in the wind I can't be the only one curious to see what the wind turbine on top of JD Wetherspoon's new green pub, the Kettleby Cross, in...
Tesco initiative for Batemans
Batemans has benefited from a new Tesco initiative to increase its sourcing of locally produce
Who will dare serve alcohol!
MA editor asks if anyone will ever dare serve alcohol again
LETTERs
I read your article about the attack on Bolton licensee Ray Sutton ("Licensee's fury after thug is cautioned", MA 23 August 2007) and cannot help but...
NewsDigest
Scottish & Newcastle UK is to release Bulmers Pear Cider over ice in November. The 4.5% abv pear cider is aimed at the 25 to 34-year-old market...
InBrief
Gordon's offers DVDs and PoS kit Diageo is giving away kits to help staff make the perfect gin and tonic. The pack includes a DVD showing chef Gordon...