Today’s news in brief – 23/04/25

Hospitality has seen “tentative” signs of recovery despite ongoing pressures on household finances affecting consumer footfall and spending, according to data from CGA. Notably, 55% of UK households say they are either severely or moderately impacted by the cost of living. As a result, this adverse impact is stirring up subdivisions in behaviour. High costs and less disposable income remain the biggest hurdle for the 42% of consumers who are going out less than usual. 

Punch Pubs and Co has acquired four pubs from Leicester-based Everards. Adding to its portfolio of approximately 1,300 pubs, the newly-acquired venues include: The Old Kings Head in Long Buckby; The Paget in Loughborough; The Cricketers in Leicester; and the Dog and Gun in Whetstone. The pubs have been welcomed into Punch’s Leased and Tenanted estate and will benefit from Punch’s training and development. This latest deal supports Punch’s ambitious vision to grow its estate through acquisitions.

Marston’s has introduced a new local sports pub concept, Grandstand, with the opening of its first venue opened during Easter weekend. The operator will be refurbishing selected existing pubs which are involved in local sports and charities. The first pub is The Gospel Oak in Tipton in the West Midlands, which opened on 19 April. The selected pubs will have new 3-metre-long, and 1.8-metre-tall screens, state-of-the-art sound systems, and flexible tiered seating. Outdoor bars with screens will also be installed. 

St Austell Brewery has launched a recycling initiative to reduce the general waste in its managed pubs by 80%. The initiative, which includes a partnership with waste management company, Biffa, includes the introduction of a streamlined waste system across St Austell’s 45 managed pubs. Teams across the company’s south west pub estate are aiming to double the amount of waste being recycled as part of the plan, with a goal of hitting the 80% target by the end of this year.