Pubco + Head Office

NWTC enjoys record trade leading up to Xmas

20-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

New World Trading Company (NWTC) has reported a record week of sales in the festive lead up.

Anglian Country Inns reports strong revenue growth

20-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Anglian Country Inns (ACI) has revealed a 25.8% uptick in revenue, partly driven by price increases to offset inflationary costs with the majority coming from a rise in footfall.

Admiral invests almost £700k into two sites on same road

20-Dec-2023 By Ed Bedington

Admiral Taverns has ended the year with a nearly £700,000 investment project across two pubs in the north east on the same road.

Admiral invests almost £1m in four pub revamps

19-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Admiral Taverns has invested close to £1m in the renovation and reopening of four of its pubs in the past month.

The Big Interview

'I've got a ridiculous addiction to pubs' - Stonegate's Payne takes a look back

19-Dec-2023 By Ed Bedington

After more than 50 years in the pub trade, Stonegate founder and chairman Ian Payne is hanging up his bar blade. The MA met up with him to chat over 50 amazing years in the trade.

Robinsons reopens pub after six-week transformation

19-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Stockport-based brewer and pub operator Robinsons has reopened the Navigation pub in Marple, Greater Manchester, following an extensive six-week long refurbishment.

OPINION

Everyone has to start saving the planet soon

18-Dec-2023 By Hamish Stoddart, founder of Peach Pubs and strategic adviser to Punch Pubs

COP26 was the moment the UK and our industry came together to commit to try to play our part in keeping global warming to below 1.5°C.

These pubs are serving up free meals this Christmas

15-Dec-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Enter one Wimbledon pub on 25 December and you’ll find a warmly lit sports bar twinkling with tinsel and abuzz with a mix of widowers, retail workers, au pairs, army lads and NHS staff sharing Christmas dinner over laughter and wine.

Greene King kitchen academy offers work lifeline to prisoners

15-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brewer and pub operator Greene King is giving prisoners a second chance by opening a kitchen training academy at HMP & YOI Grampian prison.

Wells & Co adds first new French sites since 2019

15-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Bedford-based brewer and pub operator Wells & Co has expanded its French pub estate by two sites – welcoming the House of Parliament and HMS Victory in Bordeaux to its portfolio.

The Churchill Arms: an idyllic Christmas tradition

15-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Fuller’s pub, the Churchill Arms, is instantly one of the most recognisable beacons when it comes to knowing we are approaching Christmas.

Amber Taverns to reach 170 sites with four openings

13-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Amber Taverns will open pubs at four new locations in spring 2024.

Valiant acquires 4 pubs from McManus

13-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator McManus Pub Company has sold four Northamptonshire-based pubs to Valiant Pub Co.

Trio of community heroes hailed by Admiral division

13-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Admiral Taverns’ community wet-led Proper Pubs division has announced a trio of winners for its Community Hero Awards.

Admiral opens 200th Proper Pubs site

12-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Admiral Taverns has opened the 200th site in its Proper Pubs division in time for Christmas.

Town’s longest serving licensee leaves industry after 19 years

12-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The operator of a seaside town pub is leaving the industry after almost two decades at the helm.

MY PUB

My Pub: the Queen of Cups, Glastonbury, Somerset

12-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Freehouse pub the Queen of Cups is owned by chef-patron Ayesha Kalaji, who has featured on MasterChef: The Professionals 2023.

OPINION

Where have all the pubs gone?

11-Dec-2023 By Stephen Owens, managing director – Pubs & Restaurants, Christie & Co

It seems hardly a day goes by without the media commenting on the rate of pub closures or the rising price of a pint.

Sky Sports to show record number of Premier League fixtures

08-Dec-2023 By The Morning Advertiser

Sky is set to show up to 100 more Premier League matches per season as part of a new four-year deal.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

'We need a fair deal, potential to make profit and ability to get on with it'

08-Dec-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with Jonathan Neame of Shepherd Neame to discuss the top headlines of the week.

BIG INTERVIEW

The Big Interview: James Lyon-Shaw of Brucan Pubs

06-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Humble and honest are two of the qualities that come through clearly when talking to James Lyon-Shaw.

Marston’s revenue rises 9%

05-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Marston’s pub company has reported a 9% uplift in revenue in its preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 30 September 2023.

OPINION

'Is a pub ever truly viable?'

05-Dec-2023 By Phil Dixon, trade adviser

It was 1983. I was the Midland’s Senior Officer at the National Licensed Victuallers Association.

Couple plan to travel the UK after 27 years at the bar

04-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

A couple that has spent 27 years at the helm of a North Yorkshire pub and raised more than £100,000 for charity are quitting to travel the UK and spend time with friends.

OPINION

Seeking positive feedback as a community stalwart

04-Dec-2023 By Zoe Eliasson, licensee at the Boot at Sarratt, Hertfordshire

With our pub, the Boot at Sarratt (established 1729), being situated in the middle of our picturesque village, we had no choice but to agree to a Christmas plea from the Church and local primary school.

Review of the Week

Better Government leadership needed

01-Dec-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Fuller's CEO Simon Emeny to get his take on the week's events, from the Covid Inquiry to the death of a footballing icon.

10 most popular UK pub names revealed

29-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Red Lion remains the most popular pub name in the UK, research over the past three years has found.

Loungers: ‘we’re very positive about 2024’

29-Nov-2023 By Shwetali Sapte, MCA

Loungers plans to leverage the versatility of its offer, with a pipeline in place across multiple types of locations, chief executive Nick Collins told The Morning Advertiser's sister publication, MCA.

More than half of managers are looking to leave

27-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

About 57% of managers in hospitality are looking for a new job over the next 12 months, according to one of the sector’s leading recruitment specialists.

A look at NLW rises since it began

24-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

In light of the latest hike in the national living wage (NLW), The Morning Advertiser has delved into its history.

Extra time to enter 2024 Publican Awards

24-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The entry deadline for next year’s Publican Awards has been extended, meaning operators have an additional week to be in with a chance of being named the best of the best.

Training excellence recognised at BII’s NITAs

23-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pubcos and individuals were honoured for their excellence in people development at the British Institute of Innkeeping’s (BII) National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs).

NLW rise could put many operators ‘over the edge’

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Sector bosses fear the Government announcement on a rise in the national living wage (NLW) could put many hospitality businesses “over the edge”.

THE CASK PROJECT

GK launches Cask Ale Club for franchises and T&L division

21-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brewer and pub operator Greene King has launched a ‘Cask Ale Club’ initiative exclusively available to its ‘Pub Partners’.

Famed sandwich maker and publican to open third pub

20-Nov-2023 By The Morning Advertiser

Sandwich supremo Max Halley and publican Ethan Davids are opening their third pub together later this month.

Punch appoints ex-Peach MD Stoddart as strategic adviser

20-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Co-founder of Peach Pubs Hamish Stoddart has joined Punch Pubs & Co as a strategic adviser to its board.

OPINION

Lack of guide books means people are not finding pubs

20-Nov-2023 By Tim Bird, owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns

Where have all the guides gone? That is my question and I am not referring to the helpful folk who talk us around a stately home or indeed the younger version who help the community, collect badges and, in my experience, bake rather nice cakes for charity.

THE CASK PROJECT

Rocking Rudolph returns, cancer charity to benefit again

20-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Greene King is hoping to boost charity coffers again this year with the release of festive favourite cask ale Rocking Rudolph.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Business rates support ‘is the big one’

17-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington spoke to Oak Taverns managing director Simon Collinson to get his thoughts on the week's news and the upcoming Autumn Statement on Wednesday 22 November.

Marston’s CEO Andrea replaced by Merlin strategy officer

17-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Marston’s CEO Andrew Andrea has agreed with the board he will step down from his role with immediate effect and will be replaced by Merlin Entertainment chief strategy officer Justin Platt.

Stonegate CEO Ian Payne to retire

17-Nov-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Stonegate chairman and founder Ian Payne MBE has decided to retire at the end of January 2024 and step down from his role with the group after 13 years.

‘Tale of two halves’ as Young’s reports ‘strong’ results

16-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

London-based pub operator Young’s has reported a 12% lift to its adjusted profit before tax and labelled the 26-week period of its financial year as a “tale of two halves”.

Emeny hails ‘excellent financial results’ at Fuller’s

15-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pub operator Fuller’s has delivered “excellent financial results” with like-for-like (lfl) sales up 12.7% in the first half of its financial year (H1 2024) compared to the same period last year.

Administrators appointed to former Wear Inns pubco

15-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The property company that operated north-east-based pub business Wear Inns after it was acquired in August 2018 has gone into administration meaning all 25 sites are now on the market.

Managed pubs provide bright spot despite sales growth slowdown

15-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Sales growth slowed at managed pubs in October due to poor weather, including Storm Babet.

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

The Piano Works moves to Nightcap venue

15-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Nightcap, Loungers and Hydes have recently launched new sites across the country.

Logistics staff contracted by Greene King to strike in Xmas run-up

14-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Lorry drivers and warehouse staff contracted by Greene King will take part in a series of strikes after a below-inflation pay offer was rejected.

UK pubs raise vital charity funds by selling poppies

11-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Blue Ball Inn is one of many pubs across the UK that have raised tens of thousands of pounds by selling poppies on behalf of the Royal British Legion.

THE CASK PROJECT

Hook Norton brewer: quality and price point key for cask’s future

10-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Maintaining quality and not being scared to charge what your beer is worth will help cask beer stay at the forefront of UK pubs.

Admiral Taverns posts improved turnover and EBITDA

09-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Despite economic headwinds creating a “challenging backdrop” for its licensees, Admiral Taverns has posted improved turnover and EBITDA figures in its 2023 financial year (FY23) results.