Gregarius

Stonegate plans 80 refurbs in the year

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 3:20pm UTC

Stonegate, the managed-pub operator, plans to refurbish 80 sites in the next 12 months, including a new template for its late-night bars and student-focused Scream brand.

Nottingham pubs to increase environmental credentials

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 3:07pm UTC

Licensees in Nottingham city centre are being given the opportunity to increase their environmental credentials and cut waste costs through a new initiative.

S&NPC launches business plan scheme for potential licensees

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 2:57pm UTC

Licensees wanting to take on a Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company (S&NPC) tenancy must have their business plans approved and signed off by an independent accountant or business advisor

Brokers ‘expected’ bank lending fall

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 2:53pm UTC

Pub-trade brokers have said they expected high-street banks to fall short of lending targets for offering finance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under the Project Merlin agreement.

Spirit boosts leased division

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 12:04pm UTC

Spirit Pub Company has strengthened the management team of its c.550-strong leased division, appointing Stephen Worrall as its new head of commercial.

Gastropub pioneers secure third site

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 11:45am UTC

QHA Limited, the pub company run by gastropub pioneers Michael Kittos and Tony Wolfe, has secured its third site, a former Samuel Smith pub in central London.

Two food staff boost St Austell’s offer

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 11:08am UTC

St Austell has taken on two new staff to improve the estate’s food offer.

Stella promotes heritage in marketing shift

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 11:02am UTC

Stella Artois has unveiled a new advertising campaign that focuses on 600 years of Belgian brewing heritage.

Shepherd Neame opens pub fish & chip shop

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 10:41am UTC

Kent brewer Shepherd Neame has transformed a London pub to include a traditional fish & chip shop.

JDW loses toilet tax case

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 10:16am UTC

JD Wetherspoon, the managed pub operator, has failed in an attempt to claim capital allowances for work partitioning toilets at two of its pubs.

Pub Mentors: Softs put fizz into business

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 9:32am UTC

Executing ‘brilliant basics’ on soft drinks and using targeted promotional activity to drive new footfall were the two key areas that lessees Duncan and Natalie Entwistle and I talked about on my first visit to their pub, the Greets Inn in Warnham, West Sussex.

The Big Interview: David Wilson

Posted: February 21st, 2012, 4:56pm UTC

Nearly a year into his post, David Wilson, the British Beer and Pub Association’s (BBPA’s) public affairs director, tells Gurjit Degun about his love of a good campaign and how the industry needs to work together to tackle the elephant in the room — the beer-duty escalator.

Industry leaders to debate the future of the pub trade

Posted: February 21st, 2012, 2:04pm UTC

Industry bosses will debate the future of the pub industry as part of a conference and boat party celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR).

Devonshire Arms pub closes again

Posted: February 21st, 2012, 2:01pm UTC

Gordon Ramsay’s former pub the Devonshire Arms in Chiswick, west London, has closed less than a year after re-opening.

MP asks Scunthorpe licensees for thoughts on pubcos

Posted: February 21st, 2012, 1:05pm UTC

A Scunthorpe MP has written to 73 licensees in the town asking for their thoughts on the pubco-tenant relationship.

Loungers' signs more Cosy Club deals

Posted: February 21st, 2012, 12:00pm UTC

Loungers, the privately-owned group bar led by Alex Reilley, has secured a further two sites for its Cosy Club format in Cardiff and Salisbury, in Wiltshire.

M&B managers complete post-graduate course

Posted: February 21st, 2012, 10:33am UTC

Thirteen Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) retail business managers (RBMs) and 33 retail managers have graduated from the company’s postgraduate course.

Maypole Inn wins best pint award

Posted: February 21st, 2012, 10:30am UTC

The Maypole Inn at Thurloxton near Taunton, Somerset, is celebrating winning the BOC Sureserve competition to find the pub serving the best pint in Britain.

'Extend smoking ban to beer gardens', says report

Posted: February 21st, 2012, 10:26am UTC

Smoke-free areas should be extended to beer gardens and other outside areas to help combat “social smoking”, according to researchers in New Zealand.

Pub Mentors: Making Greet strides

Posted: February 21st, 2012, 10:16am UTC

As my three-month mentoring programme with the Greets Inn comes to an end, it is wonderful to reflect on how far Duncan and Natalie have come in such a short space of time. I believe we have achieved all we set out in our action plan — and more.

Campbell accused of "manufactured moral panic"

Posted: February 21st, 2012, 9:16am UTC

Tony Blair’s former communications chief Alastair Campbell has been accused of encouraging a “manufactured moral panic” over Britain’s alcohol use over claims in his BBC documentary screened last night.

Brakspear pubs in Henley to hold tax-free beer day

Posted: February 20th, 2012, 4:50pm UTC

Ten Brakspear pubs in Henley-on-Thames are to stage a Tax-Free Beer Day on 28 February, as a way of highlighting the punitive taxation on beer in the run up to the Budget.

SABMiller defends tax claims following student protest

Posted: February 20th, 2012, 4:38pm UTC

SABMiller has defended itself against allegations of tax evasion after the University of Edinburgh banned all of the brewer’s beers from its student union.

BII Licensee of the Year semi-finalists revealed

Posted: February 20th, 2012, 11:05am UTC

The BII (British Institute of Innkeeping) has announced the 21 semi-finalists for its 2012 Licensee of the Year award.

Carlsberg to buy Baltika; profits and sales up

Posted: February 20th, 2012, 10:33am UTC

Carlsberg, the international brewer, says it will buy the remaining 15% stake in its Russian brewery venture Baltika this year as it reported a rise in Q4 profits and revenues.

Campbell: '24-hour licensing was wrong'

Posted: February 20th, 2012, 9:56am UTC

Tony Blair's former spin doctor has urged David Cameron to reverse later pub openings which were introduced by the Labour Government under the Licensing Act in 2005.

Health lobby urges action on alcohol

Posted: February 20th, 2012, 9:16am UTC

A group of high-profile health campaigners has urged the Government to implement tough new regulations on alcohol, including minimum pricing, ahead of publication of the new Alcohol Strategy.

Molson Coors works with Michelin-starred chef

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 5:37pm UTC

Michelin starred chef Martin Wishart has joined forces with Molson Coors wo produce an exclusive menu for its Scottish pubs.

Nestle Toque D'Or to launch at Hotelympia

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 5:09pm UTC

Nestlé Professional’s Nestlé Toque d’Or launches on 28 February at Hotelmpia.

Fuller’s site in King’s Cross development

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 2:58pm UTC

London brewer Fuller’s is opening a new-build pub at the new King’s Cross railway station development.

Last chance to enter Best Burger competition

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 2:55pm UTC

Caterers have just one week left to enter their best burger in EBLEX’s England’s Best Burger Challenge 2012.

Conman complaints stream in

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 1:32pm UTC

Complaints about a conman fleecing licensees out of hundreds of pounds have been streaming into the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, following an exclusive story last week.

CAMRA supports calls for a freeze in beer duty

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 1:30pm UTC

CAMRA has written to Chancellor George Osborne calling on him to freeze beer duty in his forthcoming Budget on 21 March.

Illegal minimum-pricing schemes operating in UK

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 1:15pm UTC

Minimum-pricing schemes are operating illegally in certain parts of the United Kingdom, delegates at the National Pubwatch conference last week.

Workload doubles at Pub is the Hub

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 1:09pm UTC

Rural regeneration champion Pub is the Hub has doubled its workload over the past 12 months as more under-threat licensees seek help to keep their businesses viable.

Jagertee Austrian spirit from The Drinks Company

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 10:56am UTC

The Drinks Company has released Stroh Jagertee (40% ABV), an Austrian rum blended with spices, black tea extract, lemon and caramelised sugar developed by Sebastian Stroh in 1864.

Making the most of sharing foods

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 10:01am UTC

Sharing foods have enjoyed a rise in popularity over recent years. Sheila McWattie looks at 10 different ways to pull the groups in

Hi-Spirits broker a gin deal

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 9:38am UTC

Award-winning Broker’s London Dry Gin is now part of specialist distributor Hi-Spirits' growing drinks portfolio.

Inventive secures third Revolución site

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 9:20am UTC

Inventive Leisure, the Revolution Vodka Bar operator, has secured a third site for its stand-alone Revolución de Cuba rum-bar concept as it nears agreement on further acquisitions.

Purity announces key appointments

Posted: February 7th, 2012, 5:13pm UTC

Purity Brewing Company, the Warwickshire brewer, has announced two key appointments and revealed that it’s like-for-like sales increased 44% in December.

BISC: Brighton Council issues support for independent panel

Posted: February 7th, 2012, 5:10pm UTC

Brighton & Hove City Council has passed a motion calling on the Government to monitor self-regulation of the pub industry and introduce a minimum price for alcohol sales in England.

BBPA: Pubs must capitalise on 'year of celebration'

Posted: February 7th, 2012, 5:02pm UTC

Britain’s pubs must capitalise on the huge year of celebration in 2012 – without over-zealous councils and regulations getting in the way, said BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds today.

BII launches new academy for young unemployed

Posted: February 7th, 2012, 4:28pm UTC

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) is pushing to get young unemployed people into the hospitality industry by teaming up with Kensington and Chelsea College to launch the BII sector-based work academy.

Pub Mentors: Graduation day

Posted: February 7th, 2012, 2:54pm UTC

When Jay Smith, owner of Montey’s Rock Cafe in York and Harrogate and star of TV’s Save Our Boozer, made a return visit to the College Arms at Lower Quinton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, he found that owners Jo Arevalo and Marilyn Herdman had been hard at work putting into practice the suggestions he made to turn the business around.

Jascots seals Pannier deal

Posted: February 7th, 2012, 12:21pm UTC

Jascots, the on-trade specialist wine merchant, has formed a partnership with Champagne Pannier to distribute its range throughout the UK.

Hand & Flowers crowned top gastropub 2012

Posted: February 7th, 2012, 12:09pm UTC

Two Michelin-starred the Hand & Flowers scooped the coveted number one place at the Top 50 Gastropubs Awards, held yesterday (6 Feb)

Heavy Water Vodka gets UK re-launch

Posted: February 7th, 2012, 10:00am UTC

Heavy Water Vodka has been re-launched in the UK after the recruitment of importer Drinks 21.

Enterprise Inns reveals price hikes

Posted: February 7th, 2012, 9:59am UTC

Enterprise Inns has implemented a 4% to 5% rise in tied drinks products from 6 February.

Pierre White dispute pub for sale

Posted: February 7th, 2012, 9:50am UTC

Marco Pierre White's Yew Tree pub in Berkshire has been put up for sale following a dispute with his former business partners.

Higher quality food is top reason for visiting pubs

Posted: February 7th, 2012, 9:31am UTC

Consumers in the UK have cited higher-quality food as the number one reason for visiting pubs more often, according to the latest research by Technomic.

Offer 2012 deals, urges VisitEngland

Posted: February 7th, 2012, 9:23am UTC

Pubs are being urged to support a campaign aimed at boosting domestic tourism this year by offering deals themed around the Olympics with at least 20.12% off.

Heineken sponsors 80,000 PASS training cards

Posted: February 6th, 2012, 5:52pm UTC

Heineken has sponsored the printing and distribution of 80,000 PASS training cards to raise awareness of the proof-of-age scheme to pubs across the UK.

Minister promises action over cheap alcohol

Posted: February 6th, 2012, 5:47pm UTC

A minister has said the Government is “committed to ending the sale of heavily discounted alcohol”, and the issue of pricing and the “irresponsible sale of alcohol” will be addressed in the forthcoming alcohol strategy.

Thatchers unveils new label

Posted: February 6th, 2012, 11:32am UTC

Somerset cider maker Thatchers has introduced a new oval label for its 7.4% ABV Katy cider.

Schmeichel nets Euro 2012 ambassador role

Posted: February 6th, 2012, 11:13am UTC

Carlsberg has appointed former Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel as its global ambassador for UEFA’s forthcoming Euro 2012 football tournament

Pubwatch: How to watch out for trouble

Posted: February 6th, 2012, 10:36am UTC

It’s a busy Saturday afternoon and the atmosphere in your pub is electric. Two local football teams have just played out a highly-charged match on your big screen, and your bipartisan customers are all in lively, but friendly, voice.

Richard Kershaw named chairman for BBPA north-west

Posted: February 6th, 2012, 9:49am UTC

Richard Kershaw, chief executive of Manchester family brewer Joseph Holt, has taken on the role of chairman at the British Beer and Pub Association’s North-West branch.

Pierre White dispute pub for sale

Posted: February 6th, 2012, 9:35am UTC

The Yew Tree pub in Berkshire, which has been the cause of a dispute between high-profile chef Marco Pierre White and his former business partners, has been put up for sale, with offers sought in excess of £1.65m.

Cider duty rise will have "serious consequences"

Posted: February 6th, 2012, 9:18am UTC

Any government duty hike at next month’s budget will have “disproportionate and serious consequences” on the cider industry, a leading cider group chairman has claimed.

Premier League to resume action over foreign satellite screenings

Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 5:05pm UTC

The Premier League has said it will resume action against pubs and bars that screen Premiership football via foreign satellite systems within the European Economic Area.

PMA Powersaver: Switch and save on your utility bills

Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 4:38pm UTC

The Publican's Morning Advertiser has teamed up with Utilities Direct to relaunch the PMA PowerSaver to help licensees get the best deals on electricity and gas bills.

PRS competition-winning pub opens live music facilities

Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 4:29pm UTC

A Kent pub has officially opened its refurbished live music facilities after winning a nationwide competition organised by PRS for Music.

Licensee in warning to trade over water charges

Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 4:28pm UTC

A Stoke-on-Trent licensee has warned fellow publicans to check their water bills after finding he had been overcharged £522 per year since August 2005.

BIS: Norman Lamb appointed minister

Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 2:27pm UTC

Norman Lamb has been named the new business minister, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) has confirmed.

Hendricks plays matchmaker

Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 11:41am UTC

First Drinks’ gin brand Hendrick’s is putting its weight behind a variety of leap year events in the lead-up to February 29th when the normal rules of courtship are reversed.

Pubco sites go up for auction

Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 11:12am UTC

Thirteen freehold sites from Punch Taverns, Enterprise Inns and a private vendor are set to go under hammer at an auction held by Sidney Phillips.

VK fans’ flavour mission

Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 10:51am UTC

Global Brands is asking consumers to come up with a new VK flavour in time for Freshers’ Week celebrations in September.

Drinkaware: 'Drinking less resolution most likely to fail'

Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 10:06am UTC

New research from alcohol education charity Drinkaware has revealed that despite resolutions to be healthier and drink less in 2012, today (3 February) is the day most people expect to fail to cut back their drinking.

InnBrighton plans 25 pubs in London

Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 9:28am UTC

InnBrighton, the Brighton & Hove-based licensed multiple retailer, plans to operate 25 pubs in London, the PMA's sister title M&C Report has learnt.

Fuller’s acquires £22.9m ETI package

Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 9:22am UTC

Fuller’s, the London brewer and pub operator, has agreed to pay £22.9m to acquire 15 freehold tenanted pubs from Enterprise Inns.

Red-tape curbs likely by year end, claims DCMS

Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 5:51pm UTC

The Government could act to cut further red tape on the industry by the end of the year, the Department for Culture Media & Sport (DCMS) has confirmed.

NatWest deal for Greene King licensees

Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 5:46pm UTC

NatWest is offering preferential borrowing rates to Greene King’s (GK’s) Meet & Eat pub franchisees under a deal to make the bank its official funding partner for the franchise brand.

Government to revise hospital admission stats

Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 4:59pm UTC

Extreme figures on alcohol-related hospital admissions could be a thing of the past as the Government is to revise how it classifies such cases.

IPPR: 'policymakers must recognise pubs’ social value'

Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 4:54pm UTC

The social value of pubs is often overlooked by policymakers because official statistics only capture their financial benefits, according to the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR).

BIS 'taking the biscuit' with new PICAS chairman

Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 3:35pm UTC

Pro-pubs MP Greg Mulholland has slammed the appointment of Rodger Vickers as chairman of the newly-formed Pub Independent Conciliation Advisory Service (PICAS).

Worthington brewery plans to increase production

Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 9:29am UTC

International brewer Molson Coors plans to increase production at its William Worthington microbrewery almost four-fold in 2012 after reporting that it produced 1,600 barrels in its first year in operation.

Kornicus reports increase in festive trade

Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 9:26am UTC

Kornicis, the operator of the Jamie’s Bar and Henry J Beans brands, is the latest bar group to report an increase in trade over the festive period, with like-for-like sales up 15% in the five weeks to 31 December.

Inventive announces new head of acquisitions

Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 9:22am UTC

Inventive Leisure, the operator of the Revolution Vodka Bar chain, has appointed Kevin Norman, formerly of JD Wetherspoon (JDW), as its new head of acquisitions.

CAMRA launches new national pub campaign

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 4:57pm UTC

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is to launch a new national pubs campaign, Community Pubs Month, to champion local pubs which are at the heart of communities across Britain.

Convivial reports trading turnaround

Posted: January 24th, 2012, 3:55pm UTC

Convivial London Pubs, the eight-strong London estate that was previously run as Capital Pubs II, has reported a turnaround in trading performance in the year to 1 October 2011, with pre-tax profits up 32.3% to £474k.

Olympics: Pubs must check suppliers and travel hotspots

Posted: January 24th, 2012, 3:17pm UTC

Licensees in London have been urged to check that their suppliers outside of London understand the road closures during the Olympic Games.

Operator wins licence review case over CCTV dispute

Posted: January 24th, 2012, 12:07pm UTC

An operator has won his case against a licence review after refusing to hand over CCTV footage from his pub to police.

Portman Group: Code consultation deadline in one week

Posted: January 24th, 2012, 12:07pm UTC

The Portman Group is calling for people to submit their final responses about changes to the Code of Practice for responsible alcohol marketing, with the consultation deadline closing on 31 January 2012.

Stella, Bud and Beck's get ABV cut

Posted: January 24th, 2012, 11:53am UTC

AB Inbev is to cut the ABV content of Stella Artois, Budweiser and Beck’s in a move that could be seen by industry observers to offset esculating duty costs.

Responsibility Deal has 'led to real changes'

Posted: January 24th, 2012, 10:49am UTC

The Government has said that its Responsibility Deal, which includes participation from leading operators in the pub and restaurant sectors, has led to real changes that are “helping people to live healthier lives”.

The Big Interview: Kevin Charity

Posted: January 24th, 2012, 10:33am UTC

Five years ago Boston-based multiple operator Kevin Charity swapped all his pubs for hotels. Phil Mellows discovers a new breed of Bulldog.

CAMRA: 'Government failing community pubs'

Posted: January 24th, 2012, 9:37am UTC

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has called for urgent Government action to save Britain’s historic pub culture in light of new research showing how 16 pubs on average now close across the country on a weekly basis.

Portman Group's Ashworth named alcohol network co-chair

Posted: January 23rd, 2012, 5:07pm UTC

Henry Ashworth, the chief executive of the Portman Group has been confirmed as Industry co-chair of the Responsibility Deal alcohol network alongside Professor Mark Bellis.

Decline in beer volumes slowed in 2011

Posted: January 23rd, 2012, 2:33pm UTC

The decline in on-trade beer volumes slowed last year to the lowest rate since 2004, with sales falling 3.4%, according to the latest Beer Barometer from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Alfie's Revenge wins CAMRA winter beer accolade

Posted: January 23rd, 2012, 2:05pm UTC

Driftwood brewery’s ‘Alfie’s Revenge’ was been crowned the Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2012.

Belhaven Black hoping to 'ignite stout market'

Posted: January 23rd, 2012, 10:22am UTC

Greene King-owned Belhaven Brewery, one of Scotland’s oldest brewers, has introduced Belhaven Black and hopes it will ignite the UK’s stout market.

Henley: 'We will not tolerate alcohol-related harm'

Posted: January 23rd, 2012, 9:19am UTC

Regulation is not the only answer to dealing with the problem of irresponsible drinking, according to Home Office minister of state for crime prevention and anti-social behaviour reduction, Lord Henley.

Marston's appoints new non-exec

Posted: January 23rd, 2012, 8:19am UTC

Marston’s, the pub operator and brewer, has announced the appointment of Nick Backhouse, formerly chief financial officer at Laurel Pub Company, as a non-executive director.

Spirit appoints new non-executive director

Posted: January 23rd, 2012, 8:16am UTC

Spirit Pub Company has announced the appointment of Julie Chakraverty as a new non-executive director with immediate effect.

MPs vote in favour of live music

Posted: January 20th, 2012, 3:41pm UTC

Plans to reduce red tape in the licensing of live music passed a significant hurdle today as MPs voted in favour of the Live Music Bill.

Publican swaps jobs with his local MP

Posted: January 20th, 2012, 3:05pm UTC

A licensee has taken the MPs-behind-the-bar scheme further by initiating a job swap with his local MP.

Operator in CCTV dispute with police

Posted: January 20th, 2012, 2:59pm UTC

An operator is facing a licence review after refusing to hand over CCTV footage from his pub to the police.

PMA's Freehouse Club event line-up

Posted: January 20th, 2012, 2:08pm UTC

The former editor of the Michelin Great Britain & Ireland Guide is among speakers at the PMA’s next Freehouse Business Club event.

Blood lands WaverleyTBS promotion

Posted: January 20th, 2012, 2:04pm UTC

WaverleyTBS, the drinks wholesale business, has appointed former Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) interim chief executive Jeremy Blood as executive chairman.

Administration for Company Time

Posted: January 20th, 2012, 2:01pm UTC

Company Time, the subsidiary that operates the majority of the Yellowhammer Bars estate, has been placed into administration.