Pubs and Bars

The latest news and updates on pubs and bars, from the business journalists at Catering Today. We bring you the latest on what’s happening in the restaurants, bars and catering industry, with exclusive stories, analysis, best practice and industry comment.

Apr- 2025 -

2 April

RedCat turnover rises 8% to £129.8m in successful transitional year

RedCat Hospitality, the operator behind Coaching Inn Group and RedCat Independent Pubs, has reported a turnover rise of 8% to £129.8m in the year ended 31 March 2024, which was described as a transitional year for the company. In 2024, RedCat saw the arrival of a fresh leadership team as…
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1 April

Butcombe sees LFL sales rise 31% on Mother’s Day

Butcombe Group has reported that this year’s Mother’s Day celebration (31 March) resulted in a 31% like-for-like sales increase compared with that of last year. The pub operator’s performance on Mothering Sunday also broke its previous record set on Christmas Day last year. Butcombe’s ongoing development of its external areas…
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Mar- 2025 -

27 March

Lomond Leisure Group to refurb Glasgow bar with Star Pubs

The Lomond Leisure Group (LLG) is embarking on a joint £275,000 revamp of the Van Winkle bar on Sandyford Place in Glasgow with Star Pubs. The investment will transform the bar, which will close on 30 March, into Gael and Grain, a pub celebrating Scottish food, drink and music opening…
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27 March

The Revel Collective CFO to exit

The Revel Collective has announced that Danielle Davies, its chief financial officer, has tendered her resignation to take up another opportunity. Davies will be leaving the business during the summer, focusing until then on the delivery of the group’s full year results and the effective transition of her responsibilities. Prior…
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25 March

Red Engine sees sales surge to £77.1m in FY24

Red Engine, the group behind bars such as Flight Club and Electric Shuffle, has reported a 15% increase in sales to £77.1m in FY24, up from £66.8m the previous year. During the year, the group’s sales combined with its franchise partners reached £118.3m. It added that EBITDA is expected to…
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24 March

Rooftop bar Azotea opens in Leeds Hyatt hotel

Leeds’ new Latin American rooftop bar and restaurant, Azotea, has officially opened on the 12th floor of the new Hyatt hotel in Leeds city centre. The new bar promises to be an immersive experience, decorated with “vibrant, contemporary touches” to capture the essence of Latin American life. The design showcases…
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24 March

Shepherd Neame reopens The Westminster Arms after £1.2m refurb

Shepherd Neame has officially reopened its landmark London pub, The Westminster Arms, following a 10-week £1.2m refurbishment programme. Located in very close proximity to the Houses of Parliament, the pub features a division bell by its bar so that MPs can dash back to the House to vote. Now open…
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21 March

Tim Martin: NICs and labour rates to cost JD Wetherspoon £60m

JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has warned that the imminent increases in National Insurance and labour rates will result in company cost increases of roughly £60m, which would mean about £1,500 per pub, per week. He said: “Since labour costs are around 35% of the pub industry’s sales, compared to…
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14 March

The New Albion to reopen in March after £230k investment

The New Albion pub on Liverpool Road is set to reopen with a new look and concept on 24 March. The pub’s existing team has been retained and will be supported by pub company Punch Pubs and Co, and new Management Partners, Stephen and Jake. The former Cookhouse Pub has…
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14 March

Fuller’s agrees £185m bank facility for acquisition spree

Fuller’s has agreed a new £185m bank facility with a consortium of existing relationship banks until 31 August 2028, as the pub business is looking to pursue further acquisitions. The group has already exchanged contracts to acquire the freehold of The White Swan in Twickenham, which is due to be…
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