MA Leaders Club

How to survive in the pub trade

'Total war' - surviving 20 years in the trade

By Ed Bedington

Surviving 20 years in the pub trade without going backwards is no mean feat, but the founders of the Three Cheers Pub Co can look back with a real sense of achievement.

Multiple business: the Box joins Arc's Manahatta venue in Birmingham

Arc to open biggest Box site to date

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator Arc Inspirations is preparing to open its largest Box site in Brindleyplace, Birmingham next month (June).

Village people: the Urban Village Pubs team celebrates victory at the Publican Awards in March 2023

The three keys to Urban Village Pubs’ success

By Gary Lloyd

Making a community a stronger place is one of the reasons why Urban Village Pubs won Best Community Pub winner at the Publican Awards, according to the pubco’s co-founder Ian Grundy.

City certainty: Newcastle has a rich cultural history (image: Getty/ChrisHepburn)

MA LEADERS CLUB

What is Newcastle like to run pubs in?

By Nikkie Thatcher

With the next MA Leaders Club event set to hit the streets of Newcastle in under a month (Thursday 18 May), The Morning Advertiser has taken a look at the area in more detail and what it is like to trade in.

Oakman update: the group will have 40 sites by July 2023, including the recently opened Grand Junction in Buckingham

Oakman CEO demands VAT reform as sales rise

By Gary Lloyd

Oakman Group chief executive Peter Borg-Neal took a shot at the Government over sky-high tax as the business announced a rise in sales in a trading update for the first 38 weeks of its financial year (FY) 2022-23.

Excellent track record: Tarquin Williams (pictured) appointed as Oakman Group as CFO

Oakman Group appoints new CFO

By Rebecca Weller

Multiple operator Oakman Group has announced the appointment of Tarquin Williams as its chief financial officer (CFO).

City operation: Westside BID’s Mike Olley (far left), Bitters N’ Twisted’s Matt Scrivens (centre left) and Oval Real Estate’s Jo Salmon (centre right) lay out the Birmingham landscape

MA Leaders Club

What is Birmingham like to operate in?

By Nikkie Thatcher

New operators opening sites in Birmingham has helped it change and develop, delegates at The Morning Advertiser’s MA Leaders Club recently heard.

Half-year results: Nightcap is aware further rail strikes could impact the business

Rail strikes hit Nightcap but revenue up almost 50%

By Gary Lloyd

Nightcap estimates 13 days of rail strikes has cost the business about £1.2m but like-for-like (lfl) revenue has risen by almost 50%, according to the company’s interim results for the 26-week period ended 1 January 2023.

Better outlook: Revolution Bars Group says its Peach Pubs arm is faring well

Revolution sales up after record-breaking Christmas

By Gary Lloyd

Revolution Bars Group has reported an increase in total sales from £74.1m to £76m thanks to a bumper Christmas period that saw record breaking like-for-like (lfl) pre-booked party revenue, in the 26 weeks ended 31 December 2022.

Multifaceted venues: pubs “underestimating the opportunities” presented by M&A activity within the sector (Pictured: MA Leaders Birmingham)

MA Leaders Club

M&A opportunities ‘underestimated’

By Rebecca Weller

Firms are “underestimating the opportunities” presented by M&A activity within the sector as operators look to take on “smaller locations”, according to property experts.

Growing estate: the Six Bells in Madeley is Red Oak's third acquisition of the year

Red Oak Taverns hits 210 pubs

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multi-site operator Red Oak Taverns has secured its third acquisition of 2023 with the Six Bells in Madeley, near Telford in Shropshire.

Revolution trade: Rob Pitcher says temporary closures will allow staff to be on ‘brilliant form’

Revolution to expand ‘when time is right’

By Shwetali Sapte

Revolution Bars Group has a strong pipeline in place but remains focused on integrating Peach Pubs into the company in the short term, according to chief executive Rob Pitcher.

Business update: Oakman CEO Dermot King (left) and chairman Peter Borg-Neal (right) (image: Oakman Group)

Oakman eyes £5.3m shareholder raise

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator The Oakman Group is looking to raise £5.3m from shareholders, it revealed in a half year trading update to Sunday 1 January 2023.

Outside factor: pre-booked party revenue for Revolution Bars Group was disrupted by rail strikes

Revolution to make winter closures as lfls fall

By Gary Lloyd

Revolution Bars Group has reported its like-for-like (lfl) sales fell by 9% for the Christmas period versus 2019 – the last time results were not affected by Covid – adding it will close sites on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Delighted: Nightcap CEO and co-founder Sarah Willingham

Nightcap reports record 60.9% revenue boost

By Gary Lloyd

Bar operator Nightcap has reported a record-breaking boost of 60.9% in its revenue and a 4.7% hike in like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks to 1 January 2023.

Company growth: Blind Tiger Brew Co is the mobile event bar division of Blind Tiger Inns

Footfall steady for Blind Tiger Inns

By Nikkie Thatcher

Multi-site pub operator Blind Tiger Inns has reported a steady trade despite the current challenges facing the sector.

What's in the news 9 December?

'Costs are through the roof'

By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with Newgate Pub & Bars boss Joe Smith to get his take on the industry's news.

Business plan: the Cat & Wickets Pub Company is looking to grow further next year (image: Getty/RapidEye)

Cricketing duo expand pub group

By Nikkie Thatcher

Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney have acquired the Griffin Inn, Swithland in Leicestershire, as the duo grow their pub business.

Firm growth: this is the fifth site for New Dawn Pubs, which is headed up by Mark Williams (l) and Mark Robson (r)

New Dawn opens 5th site

By Nikkie Thatcher

South east-based multiple operator New Dawn Pubs (NDP) is opening its fifth site, following a seven-figure investment into the property and its refurbishment.

Discounted drinks: the Commissioners Quay Inn is one of Inn Collection's sites offering half price hot drinks for over 65s

Inn Collection offering half price hot drinks

By Nikkie Thatcher

Amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, multiple operator The Inn Collection Group is inviting over 65s to use the pubs as a warm space alongside a special offer on hot drinks.

Magnificent seven: The Wordsworth Hotel becomes The Inn Collection Group’s seventh acquisition of 2022

Inn Collection Group reaches 7th heaven

By Gary Lloyd

Newcastle-based pubs with rooms operator The Inn Collection Group has taken over the Wordsworth Hotel – its seventh acquisition of the year.

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KENT - HIGH QUALITY FAMILY FRIENDLY PUB

£ 60,000 - Leasehold

Busy location on coastal main road Extensively renovated detached public house Five trade areas (100)  Sizeable refurbished 4-5 bedroom accommodation Newly created beer garden (125) Established and popular business...

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