Rss news feed for Morning Advertiser

Wetherspoon buys seven Chicago Rock Cafes

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:21:00 GMT

JD Wetherspoon has bought seven Chicago Rock Cafe sites from 3D Entertainment, the Morning Advertiser has learnt.

Mulholland: Make RBS sell its pubs to tenants

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:52:00 GMT

Greg Mulholland MP and chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group has asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, why a Government owned bank is operating tied pubs.

Racing UK freezes subs for pubs

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:22:00 GMT

Racing UK (RUK) has opted to freeze its pubs and clubs subscription for the next 12 months.

Newquay hosts defend under-age policies

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:55:00 GMT

Pubs and bars around Newquay have defended their policies towards underage drinking

Young's makes solid start to year

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:51:00 GMT

London brewer and retailer Young’s has reported a solid start to its trading year at its annual general meeting.

Peer predicts beer tie competition probe

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:09:00 GMT

A leading peer has predicted Business Secretary Peter Mandelson will refer the beer tie to the Competition Commission.

Collyer: Punch has raised circa £220m from pub sales

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:50:00 GMT

A City analyst has estimated that Punch Taverns has raised around £220m from disposing of 298 pubs so far this year.

Britvic reports "particularly strong" trading

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:30:00 GMT

Britvic has unveiled “particularly strong trading” throughout its third and fourth quarter.

Tattershall Castle reports £48.4m loss

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:08:00 GMT

Tattershall Castle Group (TCG), the managed pub company owned by private equity firm Alchemy and headed by David Ford, received a further £15m in loans

Mitchells to open Eric Morecambe pub

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:04:00 GMT

Lancaster-based pub operator Mitchells is to open a new seafront pub and leisure complex

Whitbread looks to save cash on building schemes

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:02:00 GMT

Pub operator Whitbread is putting work out to tender on a job by job basis

Grand Union signs for ninth pub site

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:12:00 GMT

Grand Union has signed a deal with Young’s to open a ninth site.

Sky freezes pub football rates

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:05:00 GMT

But the cost of screening horse racing via At the Races is to rise by 50%, the broadcaster says.

Magners corrects revenue figures

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:34:00 GMT

Shares in Magners cider maker C&C slid 10% today after the firm admitted it had issued incorrect revenue figures.

Barracuda re-structures debt

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:36:00 GMT

Barracuda Group, the pub operator led by Mark McQuater, is to announce the completion of a restructuring of its debt.

Police retract minimum price call

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:34:00 GMT

A senior policeman in Loughborough has retracted calls for pubs to ensure they don’t sell drinks below £1.50.

Punch to reduce debt by £1.3bn

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:18:00 GMT

Punch Taverns is enjoying improved managed division margins and should be able to reduce its overall debt by at least £1.3bn in the coming two years.

St Austell reports profit dip

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:58:00 GMT

The Cornish brewer and retailer has reported a drop in pre-tax profit to £7.417,000 in the year to 27 December 2008, compared to £8,448,000 the year before.

Brains' pre-tax profit drops £2.9m

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:24:00 GMT

The Welsh brewer and retailer reports a sizeable drop of £2.9m in profit before tax to £5.9m in the year to 27 September 2008.

McMullens' profits rise despite sales dip

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:11:00 GMT

Hertfordshire pub operator and brewer McMullen's has seen operating profits rise 4.7% to £7m for the year to September 2008, despite a dip in sales.

Bed and Bars buys two Punch pubs

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:08:00 GMT

Bed and Bars, the hostel operator led by Keith Knowles and previously known as Interpub, has acquired the freehold of the two London sites it leases from Punch Taverns for an undisclosed sum.

Geronimo buys six Punch pubs

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:59:00 GMT

The former Spirit pubs are all in London and the deal brings Geronimo's estate to 27 sites.

Pub caterers urged to take action against hunger

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:08:00 GMT

Pub businesses are urged to get involved in charity Action Against Hunger's annual fundraising campaign Fight Hunger. Eat Out this October.

Magners volumes dip 4%

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:55:00 GMT

Magners cider volumes have begun to stabilise in Great Britain but are still down 4% on last year for the four months to 30 June.

Food and Fuel buys Four from Enterprise Inns

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:50:00 GMT

Food and Fuel has bought the freeholds of four Enterprise Inns pubs it leases. The multiple operator, run by former Spirit Group boss Karen Jones along with Jo Cumming and Peter Myers, has acquired the freeholds of four gastropubs in London.

Red wine on the decrease

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:28:00 GMT

Wine drinkers are favouring rosé and white wines above red, according to a new survey.

Pernod strips Absolut bare

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:05:00 GMT

Pernod Ricard UK has stripped its Absolut Vodka bottle bare for a limited period.

Marston's paves way to Ashes banter

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:16:00 GMT

Marston's Pedigree has literally paved the way to Sophia Gardens in Cardiff for Ashes fans.

'Disappointing' turn-out for mandatory code show

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:08:00 GMT

A trade chief says it’s “very disappointing” not a single licensee attended the first two regional roadshows on Government plans on new red tape.

Bacardi-Martini wins rights to market Leblon

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:47:00 GMT

Bacardi-Martini has won the marketing rights to Leblon — the Brazillian Cachaca spirit.

AWP income up after stakes and prizes increase

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:19:00 GMT

AWP operator Gamestec has seen a 13% increase in income since the new £1 stake and £70 prize limits were introduced.

BBPA high in lobbying stakes

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:13:00 GMT

The British Beer & Pub Association has been ranked above a host of top names in terms of its lobbying power.

Wear Inns buys two Punch pubs

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT

North East based operator Wear Inns has purchased two freehold pubs from Punch Taverns for an undisclosed sum.

Tradeteam scoops top honours at awards bash

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:17:00 GMT

Drinks distribution firm Tradeteam scooped two awards at the Motor Transport Awards.

Punch beefs up menu options

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:04:00 GMT

Punch has added new meal options to its cut-price food deal for tenants at set prices of £1.99 and £4.99.

Three MPs plan pubco workshops

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:31:00 GMT

hree London Labour MPs — including a serving minister and an ex-minister — are to hold workshops with local licensees about how pubcos affect them.

Top barrister to steer pub trade reform

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:26:00 GMT

A renowned barrister who specialises in commercial mediation has been appointed to lead the process of self-reform within the pub trade.

Brulines: we offer transparency

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:09:00 GMT

Beer flow monitoring equipment will continue to be in "strong demand" because of the transparency it offers operators, says Brulines.

Gerry Price: fight fiction with fiction on rent reviews

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:28:00 GMT

Gerry Price, leaseholder of the Inn at West End, Surrey says the hot weather is not so great for him and gives his view on the BII rent review seminar.

How low can abvs go?

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:25:00 GMT

Just because some ales are lower in abv, it doesn’t mean they must be lacking in taste, says Roger Protz.

Ignorance is not an excuse

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:21:00 GMT

Not following the rules on employment law can be expensive, says Peter Coulson.

Hearing is believing

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:19:00 GMT

Noise problems are dominating Peter Coulson's postbag.

City Diary — 9 July

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:16:00 GMT

All the latest gossip and rumour from the City.

Bay delivers ‘double bubble’

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:07:00 GMT

Bay Restaurants emerged from the pre-pack administration of Laurel Pub Company 15 months ago. Paul Charity met chief exective Paul Symonds

Do it right to escape a mandatory code

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:03:00 GMT

Who could have predicted six months ago that Punch Taverns and pubco representatives would sit down in the same room as Fair Pint, says John Grogan.

Time for a mental step change

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:56:00 GMT

Ted Tuppen’s offer to help fund a trade body should make licensees think long and hard about what it means to run pubs professionally, says Andrew Pring.

Booker boosted by weather

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:28:00 GMT

Sales at wholesaler Bookers have been boosted as pubs take advantage of their cheap deals on food.

Pub trade split on new trade body

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:00:00 GMT

BII boss Neil Robertson has spoken against plans for a new pubco-funded trade group to represent tenants, which this week received backing from Punch chief Giles Thorley.

Enterprise beer price freeze ends

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:59:00 GMT

Prices of five key beer brands have increased for Enterprise licensees, after the pubco’s price freeze ended on 4 July.

Pub income hit in wake of Setanta’s collapse

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:54:00 GMT

Pubs across Britain are losing out after the plug was pulled on Irish sport on TV with the collapse of broadcaster Setanta in the UK.

Shepherd Neame plays tactical game at Hastings

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:08:00 GMT

Shepherd Neame has agreed to new licence conditions at three Hastings pubs to stave off licence suspensions.

Punch inn takes vouchers from all

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:07:00 GMT

A Punch Taverns inn is offering customers the chance to use discount vouchers from other restaurant chains.

Need funding for a pub? Ask your friends

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Presenting a solid business plan or clubbing together with friends can prove the best way to finance buying a pub.

Payne: ‘It’s time for new ID guidelines’

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:00:00 GMT

A trade leader says the industry and authorities should re-think which ID pubs should accept to avoid underage sales.

WKD TV ads return

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:00:00 GMT

The Have You Got a WKD Side? campaign for the Beverage Brands-owned WKD range of RTDs, returns to TV screens for the second time this year.

Diageo plans gin ‘renaissance’

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:55:00 GMT

The gin category received a boost this week as Diageo unveiled its strategy to lead a “renaissance” in the sector.

Go sloe for Old Moors

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:03:00 GMT

Cider with sloes is the latest variant to join the Old Moors range of flavoured ciders.

British banger week set for November

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:27:00 GMT

Pub caterers will be challenged to make the most of the British banger this November.

Councils question mandatory code logic

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:18:00 GMT

Council chiefs in the North East have questioned the logic of new Government plans to force new mandatory conditions on pubs.

Third pub for Flying Kiwi

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:12:00 GMT

A Kiwi chef has added a third pub to his group of Norfolk inns.

Welsh brewer to open £1m Cardiff pub

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:46:00 GMT

A Welsh brewing and pub entrepreneur is to open a new £1m “traditional” pub in Cardiff — the first to be built in the city for 25 years.

Hosts buy Punch freehold

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:34:00 GMT

Amanda and Chris Baker have acquired the freehold of their Punch pub in Buckinghamshire £525,000.

Gerry’s Big Decision pays off for O'Hanlons

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:21:00 GMT

Bosses of a small brewery have had their fortunes transformed after business mogul Sir Gerry Robinson chose to invest in their firm.

Cains unveils Organic Wheat Beer for July

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:24:00 GMT

Liverpool-based brewer Cains has unveiled its craft ale for July — Organic Wheat Beer.

Thwaites in Ashes battle of brands

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:01:00 GMT

Lancashire brewer Daniel Thwaites has teamed up with Waitrose for an Ashes battle of the brands.

Lords question two-strikes rule on underage sales

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:32:00 GMT

Lords have challenged the Government to prove why a two-strikes-and-you’re-out rule is needed for underage alcohol sales.

Shane Warne and Shilpa Shetty at Whyte & Mackay bash

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:13:00 GMT

Whyte & Mackay was the Scotch whisky of choice at a charity cricket match at Lords to raise money for the British Asian Trust.

'Restrictive covenants on pubs a disgrace'

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:56:00 GMT

Restrictive covenants on pubs being sold are a “revolver to the head” of local authorities but small changes in planning could make a huge difference.

Punch to attend Fair Pint talks

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:44:00 GMT

Punch Taverns has agreed to hold talks with anti-beer tie brigade Fair Pint at Westminster next week.

Pubs look to cash in on the Ashes

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT

Pubs are praying for another dramatic Ashes series to pull the punters in as Sky Sports commentator David Lloyd speaks to MA.

Punch receives £3.9m of bonds tendered for sale

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:22:00 GMT

Punch Taverns has announced that holders of £3.9m of its 2010 convertible bonds have offered to tender their bonds back.

GMB pulls out of trade mediation talks

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:58:00 GMT

Trade Union GMB has pulled out of the industry's crunch mediation meeting on Thursday, claiming it is a "sham" process.

Simmonds steps down as BISL boss

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:19:00 GMT

Brigid Simmonds has stepped down as chief executive of Business In Sport and Leisure (BISL) following a "business plan review".

Video: Brits drink more in summer

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:37:00 GMT

Research from Drinkaware shows Brits drink more alcohol in summer as it launches a new campaign urging adults to drink less, miss less.

Greene King targets tenanted army

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Greene King Pub Partners has ex-army personnel in its sights as it ramps up its recruitment drive.

Welsh pubs in cash for loos plan

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:31:00 GMT

Pubs across Wales can now get paid to let non-customers use their toilets.

Bristol pub banned from using glass

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:57:00 GMT

A Bristol pub has been banned from serving any drinks in glass and running drinks promotions following an incident involving a police officer.

Molson Coors commits to reduce packaging

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:48:00 GMT

Molson Coors has become the first brewer to commit to a voluntary agreement to reduce packaging.

Liquid Sunshine for St Austell summer

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:21:00 GMT

Cornish brewer St Austell is hoping to bottle the English summer with its new seasonal brew, Liquid Sunshine.

Young people drink for 'something to do'

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:14:00 GMT

One in four young people drink alcohol to stave off boredom, according to a new survey by the industry-funded alcohol charity Drinkaware.

Licensee bids to be Lib Dem MP

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:43:00 GMT

A Dorset licensee is bidding to become a Lib Dem MP at the next general election.

'Rural pubs need 100% rate relief to survive'

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:17:00 GMT

Rural pubs must be offered 100% rate relief if they are to survive, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Marston's £176m rights issue approved

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:41:00 GMT

Shareholders have rubber-stamped Marston's £176m rights issue this morning — it plans to use the money to fund new build pubs.

Whyte & Mackay bowls in on cricket action

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:47:00 GMT

Whyte & Mackay is supporting the Twenty20 champions match to be played at Lord's on 6 July by hosting a charity event.

Diageo faces backlash over job cuts

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:29:00 GMT

Drinks giant Diageo is under pressure from trade unions and political leaders in Scotland over its decision to axe 900 jobs.

Doncaster Brewery back in business

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:07:00 GMT

Thorne Brewery in Doncaster has brewed its first pint since 1986 — all profits will be reinvested back into the local community

Search is on for dog friendly pubs

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:57:00 GMT

The search is on to find the most dog-friendly business — and the Kennel Club is urging pubs to take part.

Marston's pub re-opens after six month closure

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:50:00 GMT

Red Kite Inns has re-opened a Marston's pub in Nuneaton, six months after it closed.

Yates's bosses head back to frontline

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:44:00 GMT

Top brass at Yates's all spent a day on the frontline working in a pub as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations.

Mulholland: Enterprise offer a 'sick joke'

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:52:00 GMT

Fierce anti-pubco MP Greg Mulholland has slammed Enterprise's offer to fund a new tenant's body as a "sick joke".

Payne: I won't lead new tenant body

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Trade chief Tony Payne has said he doesn’t want to lead a new pubco--funded trade body for tenants.

Inez Ward evicted from Enterprise pub

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:47:00 GMT

High profile tenant rights activist Inez Ward will be evicted from her Enterprise Inns pub on Thursday next week (9 July).

Fuller's launches biggest ever campaign for Honey Dew

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:56:00 GMT

Fuller's has launched its biggest ever advertising campaign for its Organic Honey Dew beer.

SA Brain exports prove a hit

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:49:00 GMT

SA Brain has struck a deal to export its beers to Finland and Australia.

Red tape crippling pubs

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:29:00 GMT

Pubs and other small businesses are having to spend an average of 41 hours a week dealing with red tape, according to a new survey.

M&B set to offer investors seat on board, says report

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:41:00 GMT

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is believed to have offered its two largest investors a seat on the board.

SA Brain outsources distrbution to Tradeteam

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:16:00 GMT

Welsh brewer SA Brain has signed an eight-year deal with Tradeteam to distribute all its drinks throughout Wales and the South West.

M&B pub fined over dirty kitchen

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:15:00 GMT

A Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) pub in South Wales has been fined £7,800 after kitchen equipment was found covered in dirt and dried blood.

S&NPE lends marketing support to tenants

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:07:00 GMT

Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE) is rolling out a new website offering bespoke promotional material for its tenants.

Corona tops Facebook poll

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:06:00 GMT

Corona Extra has been voted the world’s favourite beer brand in a Facebook poll.