Opinion Rss news feed for Morning Advertiser

Tied pubs: the ‘saviours of cask ale’

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:32:00 GMT

The tie has been the saviour of cask ale. But now’s the time to follow Everards’ lead in flexing it, argues SIBA president Keith Bott.

Micros doing it for themselves

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Microbrewers passionate about beer are enjoying tax breaks from Progressive Beer Duty and capitalising on the benefits of running their own pubs.

Drinking in the Dales

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:55:00 GMT

Dedication to the ideal of cask ale and sheer hard work have resulted in steady growth for Peak Ales, based on the Chatsworth House estate, says Roger Protz.

RPI – Recurring Pubco Income or Really Painful Increases?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:38:00 GMT

Tenants new and old need to understand what RPI means to their business and their income, says Bar Group chief executive Paul Wigham.

Pub rent RPI: the softly-softly approach

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:30:00 GMT

An unthinking approach to RPI rent increases will cause pressure in pub estates, particularly as inflation is likely to return next year.

Flying the flag for Freedom

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:37:00 GMT

British lager-makers are finding strength in numbers as lobby group gains ground, says Roger Protz.

The arcane world of pub rents

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:03:00 GMT

A process that is perceived by all sides to be fairer and less arcane stands to take the heat out of one more big area of the tenant/pubco relationship, says Paul Charity.

Silver sector will be crucial to pub success

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:15:00 GMT

The pub trade can not afford to be ageist, says Budweiser Budvar chief executive Tony Jennings.

The limits to pubco giving

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:20:00 GMT

Trying to broker an agreement with the parties involved in mediation talks between pub tenants and their landlords was described by one observer as “like herding cats”, says Paul Charity.

Pub licensee’s right to reject custom

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:17:00 GMT

A pub landlord is not obliged to serve anyone who comes in and is willing to pay, says Peter Coulson.

Threat of global sanctions

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:15:00 GMT

It has become something of a cliché to say that drinking is the new smoking, says Peter Coulson.

Toontown vats go south to Yorkshire

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:29:00 GMT

It was stretching things to brew Newky Broon in Gateshead, but moving it to Tadcaster? I ask you, writes Roger Protz.

Tenants are key to pub rent levels

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:05:00 GMT

Tim Martin argued that fraudulent property deals may have distorted high-street rents. Tim Munden of Davis Coffer Lyons, responds.

Mediation: a cathartic process for all involved

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:34:00 GMT

Pubs need the freedom to succeed — ALMR chairman Nick Bish looks at the pub world post-mediation.

Pub mediation achieved a lot

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:30:00 GMT

Mediation achieved more than you might think. Here’s the view of Alistair Darby, managing director of Marston’s Pub Company.

Pubs must keep the momentum going

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:29:00 GMT

The end of this year and the first six months of 2010 are still likely to be tough, says Christie + Co head of pubs Neil Morgan.

Adnams: recycling & bicycling by the sea

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:39:00 GMT

Environmental awareness runs through every level of Adnams, from its chairman’s mode of transport to the brewery’s energy sources, says Roger Protz.

What if they don’t notice?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:36:00 GMT

Online applications raise their own questions, such as what if councils don't notify people, says Peter Coulson.

The curfew tolls the knell

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:34:00 GMT

Attitudes amongst councils to pubs vary like the wind, says Peter Coulson.

New session should bring new approach

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:27:00 GMT

The return of Parliament provides an opportunity for the friends of pubs and beer, both inside and outside the House, to adopt a fresh approach, says John Grogan.

Telling the stories of success

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:09:00 GMT

The Morning Advertiser has many roles, but the most important is disseminating the lessons that can be learned from great retailing experiences, says Paul Charity.

City Diary — 15 october

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:30:00 GMT

All the latest gossip and rumour from the City.

Marston's: hitting new-build home runs

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:39:00 GMT

Marston’s plans to build 60 new pubs in three years. Paul Charity met managed division boss Derek Andrew to talk about the company’s strategy.

Fair Pint: nothing to fear from free of tie future

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:28:00 GMT

There is nothing to fear from a free-of-tie future, argues Fair Pint campaigner and Enterprise tenant Karl Harrison.

Punch: time to pull together in partnership

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:59:00 GMT

Roger Whiteside took over as boss of Punch’s leased division a year ago. He talks about what he has discovered — and the way forward.

What’s in a name? No more history

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:36:00 GMT

Next month, S&N becomes Heineken UK and a piece of British brewing history disappears, says Roger Protz.

Time to march to same beat

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:20:00 GMT

A need for radical change means the trade must take collective responsibility for raising standards, says Paul Charity.

Analysis: Enterprise’s call to auction

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:15:00 GMT

Next week Enterprise Inns hopes to sell the freehold of seven of its best pubs in an Allsops auction. Paul Charity looks at the move.

City Diary — 8 October

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:23:00 GMT

All the latest gossip and rumour from the City.

The high price of dishonest property deals

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:01:00 GMT

Wetherspoon successfully sued its former property agent Van de Berg for fraud this year. Boss Tim Martin says questionable deals may have distorted the high-street pub property market.

We can all help with alcohol education

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:35:00 GMT

Alcohol faces many challenges in the UK, as it becomes the new smoking, says Stephen Crawley.

Confusion over pub measures

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:07:00 GMT

News that the pub trade might soon be getting a two thirds of a pint measure may cause a further degree of confusion, says Peter Coulson.

Don’t pay money for nothing

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:03:00 GMT

Scams against licensees never really go away, or alter that much but can be avoided, says Peter Coulson.

Tory plans spell disaster for pubs

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:27:00 GMT

With the Tories odds on to win the next election, hosts face threats to their freedom, says Roger Protz.

Realising BII’s true potential

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:24:00 GMT

Eight months after taking the helm of the BII, the chief executive sets out his vision for the future.

City Diary - 2 Oct

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:57:00 GMT

All the latest gossip and rumour from the City

Sisters are doing it for the pub

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:23:00 GMT

Most pubs have come a long way to improve a woman’s — and indeed everyone’s — pub experience, but many reap even more rewards from being further down the female-friendly path, says Jo Bruce.

From swags to riches: bring on those ladies

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:34:00 GMT

Bring on the SWAGs — Sassy, Wise and Grown Up — says Greene King Pub Partners chief executive David Elliott.

Losing the war over proof of age

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:32:00 GMT

The Home Office is winning the propaganda war that the fault for underage drinking lies with the trade, says Peter Coulson.

Validity of blanket codes

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:30:00 GMT

It is not really surprising that some people in the licensed trade question what validity blanket codes have, says Peter Coulson.

Waging the Tets offensive

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:41:00 GMT

CAMRA is backing the fight to save the Tetley’s brewery and Roger Protz states the case to save the brewery.

Carlsberg tackles on-trade

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:22:00 GMT

Isaac Sheps took over the reins of Carlsberg UK last October. Paul Charity spoke to him.

What the Brooker pub rent ruling means

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:03:00 GMT

Enterprise licensees Charles and Leslie Brooker have won a rent review case against the company. Paul Charity looks at the judgement.

City Diary — 24 September

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:10:00 GMT

All the latest gossip and rumour from the City

Service, the final frontier

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Customers appreciate a value offer for their pub experience, but one of the best ways to get an edge is well-trained and motivated staff, says Paul Charity.

Cask is among our finest achievements

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:03:00 GMT

Cask ale is one of Britain’s glorious legacies to the world, says Marston's managing director Stephen Oliver.

Blacksmiths is back on tap

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:38:00 GMT

Imagine my delight when discovering more ales in St Albans, says Roger Protz.

Vending machine responsibility

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:35:00 GMT

An alcohol vending machine does not relieve you of the obligations of the Licensing Act, says Peter Coulson.

Music goes round and round

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:32:00 GMT

The controversy surrounding music in pubs seemingly will not go away, says Peter Coulson.

City Diary — 17 September

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:29:00 GMT

All the latest gossip and rumour from the City.

French adopting our style of pubs

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:26:00 GMT

The French are beginning to replicate the Great British pub, says Peter Linacre.

Where Wetherspoon wins

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:22:00 GMT

Wetherspoon’s results show that there’s an awful lot that the pub chain is doing right — what can we learn from it?

British brewing is booming

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:46:00 GMT

Britain is in the throes of a mighty brewing revolution.

What's really in a name?

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:26:00 GMT

We all laughed or shrugged our shoulders when the Government announced — late in the day — that a new being was to be created under the Licensing Act, called a “designated premises supervisor”.

Pubcos go separate ways over AWP tie

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:29:00 GMT

The bruising Business & Enterprise Committee report on the pubco/tenant relationship in May this year was no less than a major body shock for the sizeable tenanted companies

New ideas - however simple - help us all

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:43:00 GMT

New ideas - however simple - help us all

Time for an ombudsman?

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:32:00 GMT

Everybody knows that it makes sense for disagreements to be sorted out quickly, in a way that both parties feel is fair and just.

What would free-of-tie pub life look like?

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:27:00 GMT

While the leased pub industry is focused on resolving its issues through mediation, perhaps it is time to at least consider the possible scenario of life without the tie, writes Mark Stretton.

Beware of the style-jackers

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:04:00 GMT

Businesses must be wary of the new tactic of slapping trademarks on beer styles, says Roger Protz.

Accepting a passport to drink

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:01:00 GMT

Peter Coulson is sorry to note that the PASS scheme is being rejected in some places because of the possibility of fake cards.

Do not take the risk

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:00:00 GMT

There is always a tendency within the licensed trade to consider that you are responsible only for what goes on inside your premises, not outside, says Peter Coulson.

City Diary — 3 September

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:56:00 GMT

All the latest gossip and rumour from the City.

Get the basics right and success is yours

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:52:00 GMT

Any business not offering value to 30% of its customers is in trouble, says Andy Slee.

GBPA point way forward

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:50:00 GMT

Times may be tough, but the high standards championed by the licensees in the Great British Pub Awards provide great hope for the future, says Paul Charity.

The kings of Corfe castle

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:05:00 GMT

A thriving year-round trade means the pubs in Corfe are in rude health

Coercion in disguise

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:54:00 GMT

The idea of “voluntary” agreements has been around for a long time in the licensed trade, and has not improved with age.

City Diary

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:49:00 GMT

City Diary

Minimum pricing debate will hot up

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:47:00 GMT

The onset of the August bank holiday weekend sadly reminds us that summer is almost over and the political conference season will soon be upon us.

Reality check at Sam Smith’s

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:45:00 GMT

The Tadcaster-based Samuel Smith’s business lives in its own bubble.

Kiss me quick hats or Bangers and Mash…..

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:33:00 GMT

Gerry Price, Enterprise lessee at the Inn at West End gives his views on August, sausages and banks.

Life through a distorting lens

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:57:00 GMT

The BBC’s Panorama programme on Oldham’s drinking scene was no better than tabloid television, says Roger Protz.

Board to tears

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:51:00 GMT

Even the best intentions can fall foul of what some people might see as Town Hall bureaucracy, says Peter Coulson.

Keeping a sense of proportion

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:47:00 GMT

Alcohol retailing is being slowly demonised, presented as an industry that requires almost a strait-jacket of laws to keep it controlled, says Peter Coulson.

City Diary — 20 August

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:36:00 GMT

All the latest gossip and rumour from the City.

Here’s to cask beer and some Ashes luck

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:33:00 GMT

British beer and British pubs are slowly, but surely, gaining momentum, says Stephen Crawley.

Time to drive a hard bargain

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:30:00 GMT

Great tenants are the life’s blood of the pubcos and tough market conditions mean they can now push hard for terms in their favour, says Paul Charity.

Real danger of all-inclusives

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:48:00 GMT

The BBC’s Panorama report on Oldham’s binge-drinking problems pointed the finger at the supermarkets — but the on-trade isn’t entirely blameless

Improving the legislation?

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:27:00 GMT

It was not going to be long before the first problems emerged with the new minor variations procedure, and so it has proved.

City Diary

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:08:00 GMT

City Diary

Pub rentals: what if everyone was free of tie?

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:31:00 GMT

What would be the true cost of removing the tie? Fleurets chairman Barry Gillham takes an in-depth look at the pros and cons.

A drink on the mild side

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 04:22:00 GMT

Mild may never again be dominant, but it has every reason to hold its head up high

My Shout: Three cheers for the revival of cask ale

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 03:01:00 GMT

I love beer —and most of all I love a good pint of cask ale in a pub.

Credit Cards sprouting green shoots perhaps?

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:01:00 GMT

Gerry Price at the Inn at West End considers whether there are green shoots of recovery.

Putting beer on the map

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:29:00 GMT

President Obama’s recent ‘beer summit’ at the White House focused attention on America’s brewing industry, sayys Roger Protz.

First come, first served?

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:24:00 GMT

If the music is obtrusive and disturbing, his neighbours will have a right to complain and the local authority will be bound to investigate. The fact that he was there first is of little help, says Peter Coulson.

Electricity — clean simplicity

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:23:00 GMT

At long last, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is getting round to providing one or two crumbs of comfort for the hard-pressed licensed trade, says Peter Coulson.

Summer sales don’t have to be rained off

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:15:00 GMT

Every rain cloud has a silver lining if you can just turn your mind to it, says Stephen Oliver.

Pre-packs defy evolution

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:11:00 GMT

Pre-pack administrations might be perfectly legal, but they don’t seem very fair — to unsecured creditors or to other companies, says Paul Charity.

City Diary — 6 August

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:18:00 GMT

All the latest gossip and rumour from the City.

Is lager really losing its fizz?

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:36:00 GMT

Drinkers are rejecting blandness in favour of flavour — and big brewers are suffering, says Roger Protz.

Never enough time for reform

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:32:00 GMT

Peter Coulson examines whether the mistakes of England's licensing changeover are being repeated in Scotland.

Kelly’s a hero in Oldham

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:15:00 GMT

t was right to describe licensee Patrick Kelly as a hero in his recent battle with Oldham Council over their ‘blanket’ review of licences, says Peter Coulson.

City Diary — 30 July

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:12:00 GMT

All the latest gossip and rumour from the City.

Help for both ends of the market

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:05:00 GMT

Marston’s tenanted division is trialing two new radical agreements. Division boss Alistair Darby explains the thinking.

Trade needs to build from a new base

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:59:00 GMT

We need some real friends among the Conservatives who understand the issues and are prepared to bring about change, says Peter Linacre.

Steady does it wins the race

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:57:00 GMT

Brewers and pub companies that adopted a cautious approach during the boom years are in prime position to acquire top-class assets in the current climate, says Paul Charity.

City & Business Diary

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:24:00 GMT

City & Business Diary

Not stumped for pump action

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:56:00 GMT

I had the double pleasure last week of attending the opening day of the Lord’s Ashes Test and drinking cask-conditioned Pedigree at the ground.

More room for error

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:34:00 GMT

One of the key policy elements of the Government in moving licensing over to local authorities was to remove the “inconsistencies” that they claimed were rampant in the decisions of licensing justices.

Marston's new tenancy deals

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:26:00 GMT

Marston’s is trialling an innovative reworking of the pubco/tenant relationship.