Today’s news in brief – 07/05/24

Wet and cool weather brought down drinks sales for the week to 27 April, according to data from CGA. This comes despite daily sales being up by 11% year-on-year on Sunday 21 April, thanks to a strong round of Premier League fixtures. Sales suffered by comparison to a sunny late April in 2023, which brought people out to pubs and bars in above-average numbers. 

Heineken will be investing £39m to upgrade and reopen a number of Star Pubs. A quarter of Heineken UK’s 2,400 pubs are in line for improvement, with 94 of these set for makeovers costing on average £200k. The investment will also cover works to reopen 62 long-term closed locals in 2024. 

Hydes Brewery has reopened The Mount Inn in Boughton following a full refurb. This latest project forms part of an ongoing £10m investment programme across the Hydes’ estate over the next few years. The exterior makeover has more than doubled the previous capacity of the outside seating area, while a refresh of the pub’s front exterior has enhanced the establishment’s appeal.   

Chef Bryn Williams will launch a restaurant in partnership with Theatr Clwyd. Williams, a Michelin award-winning chef and restaurateur, is regarded as “one of the UK’s best chefs”. His restaurants have included Odette’s in London, Colwyn Bay’s Porth Eirias, and a beach-front restaurant, café and bar on the North Wales Coast.