All news articles for March 2024

Unchanged: interest rates remain at 5.25% (Credit:Getty/MicroStockHub)

BoE interest rates hold shows 'positives' for economy

By Rebecca Weller

The Bank of England's (BoE) decision to hold interest rates at 5.25% indicates the economy is moving in the right direction despite short term challenges, operators have told The Morning Advertiser.

Licensing Q&A with Poppleston Allen (Credit:Getty/sturti)

LICECNSING HUB WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Licensing Q&A with Poppleston Allen

By Suraj Desor, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

In this week's column, Poppleston Allen associate solicitor Suraj Desor answers questions on applying for new premises licenses and changes to existing licenses.

Employment experts: finalists have been wowing the judges with their dedication to teams

PUBLICAN AWARDS 2024

Find out about the Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees) finalists

By The Morning Advertiser

The award for Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees) at the Publican Awards 2024 will be presented to the business that provides an excellent working environment, comprehensive training, strong staff motivation and benefits alongside a meaningful career...

Food psychology: What's behind the decisions customers make?

How to make plant-based dishes stand out

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Experts advised on how hospitality could prompt consumers to make healthier decisions through menu design and language at the Better Hospitality Conference 2024.

Price increases: lager costs up 5.6% year-on-year (Credit: Getty/	Jack Andersen)

Beer prices up 5.6% year-on-year

By Rebecca Weller

The average cost of a pint of lager in pubs saw a 5.6% uptick in the year to February 2024, new figures have revealed.

Responses made on Martyn's Law: Emma McClarkin and Kate Nicholls

Trade bodies back changes to Martyn’s Law

By Gary Lloyd

Trade bodies have given their backing to the Government’s revised changes to Martyn’s Law, which will require businesses to increase their readiness to act should there be a terrorist attack.

Priced out: Breweries battle soaring costs and the cost-of-living crisis (Credit: Getty/MontyRakusen)

Insolvencies of breweries jump 82%

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The number of UK breweries going insolvent has jumped 82% in the last year, according to audit, tax & advisory firm Mazars.

Bavarian concept: Albert's Schloss winner Neil McLeod with host Gabby Logan (right)

Pubcos pick up top honours at MCA event

By Gary Lloyd

Pub and bar groups including Albert’s Schloss, Loungers and Greene King enjoyed victory at the MCA Hospitality Awards last week (14 March).

Cask and keg: Adam Mayers of Hydes Brewery

TV show-themed beers from Hydes

By Gary Lloyd

Hydes Brewery will be producing seasonal beers throughout 2024 based on TV shows from the 1980s and 1990s.

Trading update: Sarah Willingham-led Nightcap acquired The Piano Works in February 2024

Nightcap positive despite tough trading in 2024

By Gary Lloyd

Nightcap – the operator of about 50 bars under brands including The Cocktail Club, Barrio Familia, the Adventure Bar Group and The Piano Works – expects trading to continue to be tough in 2024 but is positive for the future.

Shortlist details: we've delved into each of the Best Accommodation Operator finalists for the 2024 Publican Awards

PUBLICAN AWARDS 2024

Find out about the Best Accommodation Operator finalists

By The Morning Advertiser

The Best Accommodation Operator will have focused on offering accommodation as a key part of its business, playing a significant part in contributing to the company’s profits and helping drive trade.

Expanding your business: licensing terms to consider (Credit: Getty/sturti)

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Licensing terms for expanding your business

By Rebecca Weller

There is a lot of information out there as to what to do with your business and how that will affect your premises licence, for example, extending hours of operation etc.

In it to win it: the BII LOYA quarter finalists have been named

BII Licensee of the Year 2024 quarter-finalists named

By Gary Lloyd

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has announced its quarter-finalists list for this year’s Licensee of the Year Award (LOYA) – and 53 pub operators are vying are for the title.

Softly does it: if a drink looks attractive it is likely to entice others to purchase in your pub (credit: Getty/ViewApart)

FEATURE - SOFT DRINKS AND MIXERS

FEATURE: Find a soft spot for making money

By Emma Eversham

If you run a pub off the beaten track, or at least one with limited passing trade and you have a regular supply of customers, then congratulations, you’ve created a destination pub.

The right stuff: branded glassware has been designed to increase the enjoyment of that particular beer or range

OPINION

OPINION: A touch of glass in elevating beer

By Georgina Young, brewing director and head brewer, St Austell Brewery

The hot topic of glassware came up recently on The Morning Advertiser’s Lock In podcast – touching on whether it’s OK or not if a customer gets their beer in an unbranded glass.

What's in the news 15 March

Review of the Week

‘Confidence is starting to rise’

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with the BII's Steve Alton to get his take on the week's news, ahead of his epic trip to Kenya for Pedalling 4 Pubs.

Springtime: The Queen of Cups head chef talks through her menu

Ayesha Kalaji is stepping into spring

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Ayesha Kalaji, head chef at the Queen of Cups, is creating a “lighter and brighter” menu to reflect the transition from winter to spring.

Hospitality grows 1.4% in February 2024

1.4% growth in Feb ‘disappointingly slow’

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Britain’s top hospitality groups achieved like-for-like sales growth of 1.4% in February, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker has revealed.