Legal

London borough scheme helps to fill staffing shortages

19-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

More than 200 businesses in one London borough have been given support in a bid to help fill 121,000 hospitality job vacancies in the UK.

Festive lifeline needed to save firms

19-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

More than half of small to medium business (SME) owners will have to close, put plans on hold or find other employment if Christmas isn’t a successful trading period, research has found.

Beer and cider draught sales volumes 7.4% higher than last year

19-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Weekly volumes sales of draught beer and cider have risen 7.4% versus the corresponding week in 2022 – driven by an increase in footfall and dwell time in the run-up to Christmas.

UKH to help advocate spiking prevention guidance

19-Dec-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

UKHospitality (UKH) has said it is committed to providing venues with up-to-date guidance on preventing spiking.

Government publishes tipping code of practice

18-Dec-2023 By Hannah Currie, MCA

The Department for Business and Trade has published a draft code of practice on fair and transparent distribution of tips.

NTIA welcomes modernisation of spiking laws

17-Dec-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has welcomed the Home Office’s announcement to modernise legislation around drink and needle spiking.

Potential for a flagship bar at luxury London destination?

15-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

A new bar, restaurant and event space at luxury destination The Royal Exchange has been announced by Des Gunewardena, co-founder of restaurant group D&D London.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Top tips - children in pubs

14-Dec-2023 By Suraj Desor, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

The busy Christmas trading period and families with children in pubs can increase risk of falling foul of the law around children in pubs

Party-goers spend 2.1% less on nights out

14-Dec-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

For the first time in over a year people are spending less on a night our according to the quarterly survey commissioned by the UK’s largest late-night operator Rekom UK.

Solid November for managed pubs

13-Dec-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Britain’s leading hospitality groups achieved year-on-year sales growth of 4% in November, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker has revealed.

NTIA: Covid inquiry a waste of money without sector insight

12-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Failing to include representation from the hospitality sector in the Covid-19 inquiry will be a waste of taxpayers’ money, according to the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA).

Like-for-like on-trade drinks sales volumes down

12-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

On-trade drinks sales have fallen behind last year’s volumes but it would be difficult to beat last year’s biggest single day of sales when England competed in the football World Cup quarter final.

OPINION

Where have all the pubs gone?

11-Dec-2023 By Stephen Owens, managing director – Pubs & Restaurants, Christie & Co

It seems hardly a day goes by without the media commenting on the rate of pub closures or the rising price of a pint.

Reminder of licensing law round children in pubs

08-Dec-2023 By Suraj Desor, associate solicitor, Poppleston Allen

During a recent episode of the Lock In podcast, Poppleston Allen's Suraj Desor outlined the legalities around children in pubs. Here he goes into more detail about the topic.

Ofgem proposals ‘needed for fairness’ says UKH

08-Dec-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

UKHospitality (UKH) has backed Ofgem’s proposals to expand existing rules of standards of conduct to al businesses.

LICENSING HUB - LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Licensing – Over regulation?

08-Dec-2023 By James Anderson, partner, Poppleston Allen

Is the licensing process stifling business?

Rekom to shut city's largest nightclub

07-Dec-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Pryzm Plymouth will close for good after a final New Year’s Eve party as the cost-of-living crisis squeezes student budgets.

Villagers rally to save their last pub

07-Dec-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Villagers have come together to save the last pub in King’s Walden which has been labelled the “heart of the community”.

Night czar: overseas salary plans ‘risk huge damage to sector’

06-Dec-2023 By Gary Lloyd

London night czar Amy Lamé fears plans to raise the minimum salary required for skilled overseas workers will hit the hospitality sector hard.

OPINION

'Is a pub ever truly viable?'

05-Dec-2023 By Phil Dixon, trade adviser

It was 1983. I was the Midland’s Senior Officer at the National Licensed Victuallers Association.

New immigration plans 'will worsen staff shortages'

05-Dec-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government’s changes to the immigration system will “further shrink” hospitality’s talent pool and contribute to greater shortages, one trade body has warned.

LICENSING HUB – LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Reminder to check your licence for Christmas trading

01-Dec-2023 By Jonathan Smith, partner, Poppleston Allen

Be careful, it will not have escaped people’s notice that this year both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fall on a Sunday.

Xmas rail strikes cast 'dark shadow' despite RMT deal

30-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Industrial action will cause a “dark shadow” over festive trade despite rail unions pay deal to end dispute ahead of next year’s Spring strikes.

POLL: How much of an impact will the NLW rise have on your business?

29-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

From April 2024, workers aged 21 and over will be eligible for NLW with the rate for that age bracket being £11.44, rising from its current level of £10.42.

PROPERTY ROUND UP

Trio takes on Shepherd Neame pub

28-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Three friends have come to the helm of a Shepherd Neame pub, while another venue has launched a fish & chip shop as operators expand their estate.

Consultation into licensing hours extension for Euros launched

28-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Home Office has launched a consultation into extending the licensing hours for the semi-final and final of the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament if England, Wales or Scotland are playing.

Fears for Grade II-listed pub's future after closure

28-Nov-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A Grade II-listed pub in Greater Manchester is shutting doors after owners sold the property, but its operator is worried about the building’s future.

Hospitality Ulster: Gov a ‘disgrace’ as business rates relief not granted in NI

27-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Hospitality Ulster members have demanded an explanation of why the sector has not been afforded business rates relief in the Autumn Statement in line with England, Scotland and Wales.

‘Iconic’ LGBTQ+ venue to shut

27-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Owner of G-A-Y Late Jeremy Joseph has announced the closure of the Soho venue, citing a number of external pressures as the reasons why.

Drinks sales flat ahead of Xmas period

24-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales were 0.5% up compared to 2022 levels in the week to Saturday 18 November, remaining virtually flat ahead of the crucial run-in to Christmas for operators and suppliers.

A look at NLW rises since it began

24-Nov-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

In light of the latest hike in the national living wage (NLW), The Morning Advertiser has delved into its history.

Sector 'deserved better' in Autumn Statement

24-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

In the wake of the Autumn Statement, The Morning Advertiser spoke to operators from across the sector to get on the ground thoughts on the announcement.

UKH calls for VAT cut to boost tourism

23-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

UKHospitality (UKH) has called for the Government to address the UK’s lack of competitiveness on the global tourism market, beginning with a cut to VAT for hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses.

Autumn Statement

What's the opposite of exceeding expectations?

22-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

Expectations ahead of the Autumn Statement were already pretty low in the pub sector and I think it’s fair to say they have been duly met.

Mixed reaction to Autumn Statement from sector bosses

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Sector chiefs have issued a mixed response to Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement with many welcoming parts of it while others see “missed opportunities”.

AUTUMN STATEMENT 2023

NLW increase will ‘eliminate low pay altogether’, NI contributions down 2%

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

UK Government Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the rise in national living wage from £10.42 to £11.44 from April next year will “eliminate low pay altogether”.

AUTUMN STATEMENT 2023

Business rates discount extended

22-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

On Wednesday 22 November, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced an extension to the 75% discount for business rates up to £100k for the sector as part of the Autumn Statement.

AUTUMN STATEMENT 2023

Hunt confirms alcohol duty freeze

22-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday 22 November Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a freeze to alcohol duty until August next year.

What is expected in the Autumn Statement?

22-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will reportedly announce cuts to business taxes and a National Insurance reduction in today's Autumn Statement.

NLW rise could put many operators ‘over the edge’

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Sector bosses fear the Government announcement on a rise in the national living wage (NLW) could put many hospitality businesses “over the edge”.

James Watt accuses Durham council of 'staggering incompetence'

22-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

BrewDog’s James Watt has condemned Durham County Council for its “staggering display of incompetence” regarding the firm’s new site in the city, yet the council says it has worked "tirelessly" to help the Ellon-based firm.

Confidence rises but business rates must be addressed

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Almost half of hospitality chiefs said they are confident about the sector during the upcoming 12 months despite a multitude of cost pressures, including business rates.

Inn Collection completes multi-million-pound refurb

21-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

This week's property round-up features refurbishments and investments from Inn Collection, Admiral Taverns, Roxy Leisure and Joseph Holt.

Some 20% of firms at risk of closure in early 2024

20-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

More than a fifth of night-time economy firms face collapsing in January 2024 without “substantial tax reductions”, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned.

Number of pub and bar insolvencies jumps 66% YOY

20-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The number of pub and bar company insolvencies soared by two thirds in the year to September as high inflation and interest rates make turning a profit “impossible”.

OPINION

Lack of guide books means people are not finding pubs

20-Nov-2023 By Tim Bird, owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns

Where have all the guides gone? That is my question and I am not referring to the helpful folk who talk us around a stately home or indeed the younger version who help the community, collect badges and, in my experience, bake rather nice cakes for charity.

CAMRA: 'unlawful pub demolition should be illegal'

17-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has urged the Government to strengthen planning policy and enforcement legislation to safeguard historic venues following a parliamentary debate on the protection of heritage pubs.

Duty increase will 'damage growth and prosperity'

16-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Voices from across the brewery sector have joined calls urging the Chancellor to scrap the duty increase in February next year in next week’s Autumn Statement.

LICENSING HUB – LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Ho! Ho! No! How to deal with festive drunkenness

16-Nov-2023 By Alex Tomlinson, licensing solicitor, Poppleston Allen

Now that we’ve seen the back of Halloween and Bonfire Night, and the annual debate has started over whether the John Lewis advert is the best campaign on TV, it must be fast approaching Christmas.

Further strike action expected to cause Christmas trade disruption

16-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The hospitality sector is braced for further Christmas disruption after train drivers announced plans to stage a fresh round of strikes in early December.