General News Rss news feed for Morning Advertiser

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

Win a trip to the races with Racing UK

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:33:00 GMT

Racing TV channel Racing UK is offering licensees the chance to win a day at Newmarket races for their customers.

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.

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).

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.

WSTA hits out at 80p minimum price

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:04:00 GMT

A trade body has condemned calls for an 80p per-unit minimum price plan - saying it would see bottles of wine cost £8.

Anand: pragmatic view on bottom-end pubs

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:29:00 GMT

Greene King has found solutions for more than 25% of the 400 tenanted pubs contained within its turn-around Independence Pub Company division.

'Make drink health warnings compulsory'

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:25:00 GMT

Unit labelling and health warnings should be compulsory on all alcohol packaging, says the Drinkaware Trust.

Minimum price in Scotland is 'non-negotiable'

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:06:00 GMT

A minimum price on alcohol in Scotland is seen as "non-negotiable" by the ruling Scottish National Party.

Luff gives pub trade till October to change

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:45:00 GMT

Business and Enterprise Committee chairman Peter Luff has urged the Government to give the industry until October to change.

Top cop: ban all alcohol advertising

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:49:00 GMT

A senior influential policeman has called for a minimum price of 80p per unit on alcohol and a complete ban on all alcohol advertising.

Greene King 'cautiously optimistic'

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:28:00 GMT

Greene King is looking forward with “cautious optimism” after a 1.3% rise in revenue to £942.3m for the 52 weeks to 3 May.

Tuppen: ‘We’d pay £100k to new body’

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:27:00 GMT

Enterprise boss says his company would happily pay a levy of £100,000 or more to set up a body to represent individual licensees.

Ex-JDW managers lift pubs’ fortunes

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:01:00 GMT

A pair of former Wetherspoon managers have transformed the fortunes of two West Yorkshire pubs, after crossing the trade divide.

Should pubcos go free of tie?

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:01:00 GMT

Is there an argument for turning more pubs free-of-tie? Paul Charity examines the idea.

Mosh pit drinks ban overruled

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:00:00 GMT

A nightclub and music venue has won its appeal against a ban on drinking in the area where bands play.

Pub market recovery still years away

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:15:00 GMT

Agents predict it could take between two and five years for the pub property market to return to 2007 levels, when prices were at their peak.

Taybarns asks diners: where next?

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:03:00 GMT

Whitbread is asking customers to vote for where they want the next Taybarn’s all-you-can-eat concept to open.

Pub trade soars in sizzling summer sun

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:19:00 GMT

The scorching weather has sent sales at pubs soaring, according to licensees and brewers.

St Austell buys four Punch pubs

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:16:00 GMT

Cornish-based brewer and operator has bought four freehold pubs from Punch Taverns.

ID cards will help fight against underage drinking

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:38:00 GMT

National ID cards will benefit the fight against underage drinking, according to Home Secretary Alan Johnson.

St Austell accredited for lease code clarity

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:11:00 GMT

St Austell is the latest tenanted pub operator to have its lease code of practice accredited for its clarity under a BII-backed scheme.

Guinness offers trip into space

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:20:00 GMT

Guinness is offering one lucky person the opportunity to become one of the first non-professional astronauts to venture into space.

London Town reports £24.7m loss

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:14:00 GMT

Tenanted and leased operator London Town Taverns made a loss of £24.7m last year and is in breach of its bank loans.

BII Licensee of Year searches for apprentice

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:57:00 GMT

BII Licensee of the Year Philip Davison has launched his own search for an apprentice — following in the footsteps of Sir Alan Sugar.

Fuller's ad cleared after RFU complaint

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:06:00 GMT

A Fuller's advert has been cleared by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after a complaint from the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

UKIP warning on smoke ban extension

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:39:00 GMT

The UK Independence Party (UKIP) has called for "civil disobedience" over what it says are plans to ban smoking from all public places, including beer gardens.

Analyst: Marston's to receive £18m new-build boost

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:24:00 GMT

Marston’s should be able to open between 20 and 25 new-build pubs per annum after ear-marking £140m, says an analyst.

Jackson remembered on pub jukeboxes

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:51:00 GMT

The public’s appetite for re-living Michael Jackson’s hits since his death has led to a surge in plays on pub jukeboxes, according to digital Jukebox provider Soundnet.

Trade relief at Euro smoking plans

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:49:00 GMT

Trade leaders are relieved that European calls for tighter control on access to second hand smoke are unlikely to impact UK pubs.

Pubs 'n' Bars breaches banking covenants

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:37:00 GMT

The 106-strong Pubs ‘N’ Bars group has breached its banking covenants

Camra announces Pub Design Awards

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:11:00 GMT

The Campaign for Real Ale has announced the four winners of its Pub Design Awards 2008.

No plans to extend smoking ban to outdoors

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:15:00 GMT

The health minister Lord Darzi has said there are no plans to extend the smoking ban to outdoor public places — the news comes amid speculation that the EU will recommend the ban is extended.

Ember Inns customer brews her own beer

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:59:00 GMT

An Ember Inns customer has won a national competition to brew her own ale, which will be sold in 170 pubs nationwide.

Lib Dem peer Razall slams tie

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:30:00 GMT

A Liberal Democrat peer has expressed serious concerns over the beer tie, and pressed the Government into saying how it will act.

Capital reports strong trading

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:28:00 GMT

Capital Pub Company has reported a 7% increase in pre-tax profit to £2.1m on turnover up 5% to £19.8m.

Competition to create new Greene King beer

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:02:00 GMT

Greene King has launched a competition for a member of the public to create a new beer that will be sold at pubs across the country.

S&NPE puts 20 freehold pubs on market

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:28:00 GMT

Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE) is putting 20 freehold pubs on the market with Fleurets this week.

Morrissey sued for £250,000 over failed pub venture

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:46:00 GMT

Licensee and actor Neil Morrissey is being sued by the Bank of Scotland for £250,000 after his purchase of a pub ended in administration.

Joule's Brewery adds 14th pub to estate

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:55:00 GMT

Joule’s Brewery has added a fourteenth pub to its estate, with the purchase of Punch pub the Duke of York in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

Dark Star Scotland in administration

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:41:00 GMT

One of Scotland’s largest bar, restaurant and hotel businesses, Dark Star Scotland, has been placed in administration.

Globe: re-opening pubs harder and harder

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Globe Pub Company has stated that it is becoming increasingly difficult to re-open closed pubs.

Jones becomes Mecca Bingo boss

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:41:00 GMT

The former executive chairman of Premium Bars and Restaurants Mark Jones starts a new job as managing director of Mecca Bingo this morning.

Second Best Bar None Conference in October

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:10:00 GMT

Advice on best practice, plus news and views from industry experts, will be available at the conference in Leicester.

Union inundated with calls from distressed licensees

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:55:00 GMT

Trade union Unite and Inez Ward's Justice for Licensees have been contacted by 117 licensees facing eviction in the last four weeks.

Fair Pint invites Punch & Enterprise to talks

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:54:00 GMT

Anti-pubco lobby group Fair Pint has invited Punch and Enterprise to a summit meeting to discuss a way forward for the pub industry following the damning Business and Enterprise Committee report.

Beverage Brands unveils responsible drinking campaign

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:50:00 GMT

WKD producer Beverage Brands has unveiled a major new responsible drinking campaign.

Ofcom keen for football rights talks

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:41:00 GMT

Media watchdog Ofcom is to open talks with the FA Premier League over the distribution of TV rights.

Dixon: it’s time to change not churn

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:45:00 GMT

There’s a lot of work still to be done on the part of pub companies, says industry expert Phil Dixon.

Notts microbrewer records 65% hike in sales

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:54:00 GMT

Nottinghamshire based microbrewery Springhead has reported a 65% rise in beer sales for the three months to May.

Raven Ale crowned Champion of Scotland

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:40:00 GMT

Orkney's Raven Ale has been crowned the Champion Beer of Scotland at the Scottish Real Ale Festival in Edinburgh.

Orchid takes on KFC and McDonalds

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:38:00 GMT

Orchid has launched a family food offer which aims to compete with McDonalds and KFC.

Ex-Sports Minister calls for beer tie review

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:25:00 GMT

Kate Hoey, Labour MP for Vauxhall, has voiced her support for the Fair Pint campaign and promised to write to Peter Mandelson to urge a Competition Commission investigation into the beer tie. Includes video.

Buying-out fines taken back by host

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:06:00 GMT

An Enterprise Inns lessee has clawed back nearly £4,000 in fines for buying out after her bank agreed the money was taken without authorisation.