MA Leaders Club

City Pub Group celebrates strong summer trade

21-Sep-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The City Pub Group has reported positive trade across summer and the group continues to operate in line with full year expectations.

MA LEADERS CLUB

Tips on recruiting chefs from overseas

18-Sep-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Operators attending the latest MA Leaders Club in Bristol heard how one business recruited from overseas to help ease staff shortages.

MA LEADERS CLUB

Operators reveal the secrets behind trading in Bristol

14-Sep-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Sustainability and independent venues are important to the pubgoers of Bristol, delegates at The Morning Advertiser's MA Leaders Club heard in the city this week (Wednesday 13 September).

KLM Pubco snaps up biggest site yet

13-Sep-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

KLM Pubco has taken on the Marquis of Ormonde in Ripley, Derbyshire, which is its biggest site to date.

A look at the MA Leaders Bristol study tour venues

11-Sep-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

With the last MA Leaders Club meeting of 2023 taking place this week, we've taken a look at where we will be visiting as part of the event in Bristol.

St Austell Brewery acquires Bath Pub Company

11-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

St Austell Brewery has announced its procurement of the Bath Pub Company.

Review of the Week

'I don't feel represented'

24-Aug-2023 By Ed Bedington

Top chef and pub and bistro operator Gary Usher calls for more passion from lobbyists, greater support for independent businesses, a reduction in VAT and talks about the challenges around recruitment in the MA's Review of the Week.

Review of the Week

'Recruitment is getting a bit easier'

18-Aug-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington met up with Yummy Collection's Anthony Pender to chat through the week's news, from takeaway pints to energy and new openings.

My Pub

My Pub: the Strait & Narrow, Lincoln

18-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Strait & Narrow is set in the centre of Lincoln and was deemed best-in-class when it won Best City/Urban Pub in the Great British Pubs Awards 2022.

Review of the Week

'We're cheaper than McDonalds!'

11-Aug-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with Revolution boss Rob Pitcher to get his take on the week's news from inflation to late night closures and the opportunities for AI.

The Botanist bars owner appoints Amber Wood as COO

10-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Bar operator New World Trading Company (NWTC) has appointed Amber Wood as its new chief operating officer.

My Shout

Where is the outrage for all pubs?

10-Aug-2023 By Heath Ball

The justified anger and passion from the general public, members of parliament, and the press regarding the suspected arson of the beloved Crooked House near Dudley has truly captured the nation's attention and fuelled our collective outrage.

Review of the Week

'Can't see it getting a lot better'

04-Aug-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Frisco Pubs boss and podcast legend Heath Ball to get his take on the week's news, from duty changes and utilities profits to the weather.

Heartwood Collection boss: 'rebrand symbolises the business we are trying to be’

03-Aug-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The recent rebrand for Heartwood Collection from Brasserie Bar Co is part of the company’s strategy to branch out into pubs with rooms.

My Pub

My Pub: the Red Lion, Shepperton, Surrey

02-Aug-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Riverside pub the Red Lion in Shepperton is a Great British Pub Awards winner – and with good reason.

My Pub

My Pub: Greene Oak, Oakley Green, Berkshire

28-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

James Lyon-Shaw is the owner of Brucan Pubs, which includes the Greene Oak, which won Green King Pub of the Year in the Great British Pub Awards 2022. Here he gives The Morning Advertiser a virtual tour around the site.

Review of the Week

'We've got to support each other'

28-Jul-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with the Vaulkhard Group's Ollie Vaulkhard to talk about challenges, positivity and the price of a pint.

Late-night trade challenging for Revolution Bars Group

26-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Revolution Bars Group has admitted late-night trading continues to be a struggle as it posted overall like-for-like (lfl) sales were 8.7% down versus pre-Covid.

‘Exceptional’ performance by Brunning & Price

19-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Restaurant Group (TRG), which operates the Brunning & Price pub brand, has reported an “exceptional trading performance” in the first half its 2023 financial year (FY23).

Review of the Week

‘It’s a bit of a war out there’

14-Jul-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with Heartwood Collection chairman Mark Derry to discuss the week's news, from duty rates to recruitment and the need to be more upbeat.

Reilley: Sector not ‘all doom and gloom’ as Loungers posts record results

12-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Loungers chairman Alex Reilley has claimed it is not fair to say the sector is “all doom and gloom” as the café-bar operator reported like-for-like (lfl) sales up 7.4% in its financial year (FY23) results.

Cat & Wickets eyes expansion, £750k revamp of Griffin planned

11-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Cat & Wickets Pub Company, owned by cricket stars Harry Gurney and Stuart Broad, and former Peach Pubs chief Lee Cash, is targeting expansion with one site more per year opening until 2026.

Multi-site operators to visit UK's 'first cycling city'

10-Jul-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

With the MA Leaders Club crowd set to hit Bristol later this year (September), we’ve looked at the history of the city and its thriving food and drink scene.

Brunning & Price co-founder takes on 5th site for Pubs Ltd

10-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Co-founder of Brunning & Price pubs – Jerry Brunning – has taken a fifth site for his Pubs Ltd group.

Review of the Week

Three year anniversary since Independence Day!

07-Jul-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with Anglian Country Inns boss James Nye to get his take on the week's news, from milestone anniversaries to machine learning!

A look at Inn Collection’s reopened Harrogate site

05-Jul-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Newcastle-based pubs with rooms operator The Inn Collection Group has reopened the St George Hotel after a refurbishment under the new name of the Harrogate Inn. Here, we give you a look around the renovated site.

Heartwood Collection secures £100m funding for ‘ambitious’ growth plans

02-Jul-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Recently rebranded multiple business the Heartwood Collection has secured additional funding to help support its rollout of freehold pubs and accommodation including plans to reach 60 sites by June 2027.

Red Oak Taverns adds 2 pubs to growing estate

30-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multi-site operator Red Oak Taverns has exchanged contracts on the Croft in Wednesbury, West Midlands and the Bulls Head in Clipston, near Market Harborough, Northamptonshire from Everards.

Urban Pubs & Bars to reach 41 sites with Waterloo opening

30-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Publican Awards winner Urban Pubs & Bars is set to launch a site at Waterloo station with an opening date of mid-September.

Roxy Leisure opens latest Ball Room site in Leicester

27-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Roxy Leisure has opened the doors at its Leicester’s city centre site that features a host of competitive socialising activities.

Inception Group takes Borough Yards site

26-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Inception Group, which operates the Mr Fogg’s brand, has signed a lease at Borough Yards to open its 15th site – with the proposed concept to be announced later this year.

BrewDog’s acquisition history

23-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Morning Advertiser has taken a trip down memory lane to look at how BrewDog has become the global bar business it is today.

Arc makes two new board appointments

23-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Leeds-based multiple operator Arc Inspirations has announced the appointments of a new chief financial officer (CFO) and a promotion to marketing director.

Vaulkhard Group reveals £4.5m expansion plan

14-Jun-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Newcastle-based leisure operator, Vaulkhard Group, has announced a £4.5m expansion and growth plan.

Revolution’s net zero target approved by climate initiative

12-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Revolution Bars Group has announced its commitment to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its supply chain and operations has been assessed and approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Nightcap acquires Dirty Martini

09-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Bar operator Nightcap has acquired the Dirty Martini chain of cocktail bars and Tuttons Brasserie in a £4.65m pre-pack deal.

James Watt invests in Clean Kitchen Club

08-Jun-2023 By Georgi Gyton, MCA

BrewDog CEO and co-founder James Watt has revealed he is an investor in Clean Kitchen Club.

Brakspear makes new appointment to bolster development

08-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Brakspear has appointed Simone Brown to the company’s newly created head of people role.

Inside Loungers’ latest Brightside venue

08-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

All-day café-bar and restaurant operator Loungers is launching its second Brightside roadside dining site today (8 June 2023).

City Pub Group sales rise 20%, acquires majority share of Mosaic

07-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

City Pub Group has announced sales are up 20% in the first 23 weeks of its financial year versus 2022 while like-for-like (lfl) sales improved by 13% on last year.

Roxy Leisure to open in Cheltenham for its 17th site

01-Jun-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Experiential operator Roxy Leisure is set to open a competitive gaming concept in Cheltenham in August 2023 – marking its 17th UK site.

The Alchemist eyes further UK growth

01-Jun-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Creative cocktail bar and restaurant group The Alchemist is looking to expand its portfolio in the UK following its first international opening in Berlin, Germany.