Makro axes Carlsberg Export in support of pubs
A war of words has erupted between Makro and Carlsberg after the wholesaler announced it was axing one of the brewer's brands. Makro has removed...
Archives for January 29, 2009
Better watch out Mandelson because the beast is back
Beer lover Ken Clarke's return to the Tory front bench must surely have the pub trade cheering — and Peter Mandelson quaking
Mystery visit reveals pubs could offer warmer welcome
Pubs need to step up their aftercare service and the way they welcome customers, a new mystery visit report has revealed. Mystery visit specialists...
Stein buys pub...but Worrall Thompson closes his
Celebrity chef Rick Stein has bought a pub in Cornwall — but another high profile chef, Antony Worrall-Thompson, has closed his Berkshire pub.
No pain, no gain — pub closures are inevitable
Mike Coughtrey, KPMG Partner, believes 2009 will be a struggle, but the result will be a far healthier sector.
Minor should mean minor
The proposal to make it easier to get a condition knocked off a licence arouses suspicion, says Peter Coulson.
On the road
The first thing that strikes you after shuffling onto the bus organised by anti-pubco campaigners is that they have prepared for a long, hard day...
Leased pubs: value gap passed tipping point
Mitchells & Butlers boss Tim Clarke has claimed the on-trade drinks market has passed a "tipping point" in the value gap between managed and tenanted operators.
Seasonal food focus: Savour the flavours of spring
With spring just around the corner, pubs will have to consider swapping warming winter meals for fresh, lighter alternatives suitable for the milder...
M&B: value offers lift sales 1%
Mitchells & Butlers pubs appear to be weathering the storm as it announced a 1% rise in like-for-like sales for the 17 weeks to 24 January— chiefly driven by its value food offers and a rise in cask ale volumes.
Is the temperance movement coming back?
Health secretary Dawn Primarolo sounds like a sort of a cross between a creamy cheese from a tube and a toffee-filled chocolate. But her opening...
Help! We need everybody's
Whether or not pubcos are able or willing to offer help to licensees, additional trade initiatives are vital, says Andrew Pring.
Fuller's: Chancellor must dump duty escalator
Fuller's claims last year's 17.8% rise in duty has had a "devastating" effect on the pub industry.
Foreign satellite footie on the slide
There has been a sizeable drop in the number of pubs screening football via foreign satellite systems, after two foreign broadcasters within Europe...
Eating-out market will shrink, warns M&B
All Bar One operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) said it expects the consumer's appetite for drinking and eating out in pubs to worsen as the...
Tuppen: Power's done well from tie
Enterprise Inns boss Ted Tuppen has claimed that Fair Pint sponsor Vince Power has done well financially from the two Enterprise sites he leases.
Snacks: Beyond cheese & onion
Walker's has just released six weird and wonderful new flavours as part of its 'Do Us A Flavour' competition.Fish & Chips, Onion Bhaji, Chilli...
Council calls for duty freeze and minimum price
A council is urging MPs to press the government to cut beer duty and introduce a minimum price to help struggling licensees. South Norfolk District...
Beer on offer for 1p
A pub chain is offering what is probably the country's cheapest beer at just 1p a pint. The Stockton-on-Tees based Dukedom Group, has slashed the...
Fuller's chairman blasts government over duty rises
Fuller Smith & Turner chairman Michael Turner has demanded that the Chancellor of the Exchequer scraps the duty escalator mechanism, which will...
Lapse of licence under section 27
The economic downturn has thrown up some legal traps in the licensed trade recently, principally in terms of the premises licence itself, says Peter Coulson.
Seasonal food focus: Meat for lean times
Economy and value for money are always a feature of early spring menus, as consumers keep a close eye on post-Christmas spending, and this trend will...
Ex-Spirit freeholds to go for auction
British Land will attempt to sell the freeholds of a further 10 Spirit pubs at a public auction on 11 February. The firm hopes to raise between...
Pub offers pints for 1p
A Northern-based pub chain is offering customers a pint of beer for 1p as part of a promotion designed to help people through the credit crunch. The...
In Season: Food of love?
Rob Kennedy, trade marketing manager, M&J Seafood: Fresh live oysters are the classic aphrodisiac and feel good food. Oysters are traditionally...
City Diary: 29 January
All the latest gossip and rumour from the City.
Enterprise reopens 50 pubs
Enterprise Inns has appointed three pub management companies to re-open 50 pubs in a trial. The Morning Advertiser understands that London Town's...
Traumatised licensee criticises police
A traumatised licensee who was attacked by balaclava-clad thieves has criticised police for failing to warn her gangs were targeting pubs. Around 50,...
Like Obama, we are at the start of a long fight
The industry is in for a long battle, says Greene King Pub Partners managing director David Elliott.