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.

Jul- 2020 -

27 July

Marston’s and Carlsberg UK’s joint venture delayed

Pub operator Marston’s has announced its merger with brewing company Carlsberg UK has been delayed, pending a review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Marston’s had expected the deal, which is worth a total of £780m, to be completed in the third quarter of this year, but this has…
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23 July

BBPA welcomes SBR reforms

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed the government’s continued commitment to Small Brewer Relief (SBR) and “improvements to its current structure”. It also welcomed the launch of the business rates review and an “expected” timescale for the Alcohol Duty Review. The trade association highlights that the purpose…
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17 July

BBPA call for pubs in England to destroy spoilt beer

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has advised publicans to ensure they have submitted applications to destroy their spoilt beer before the end of July, so they “avoid charges from water companies”. The trade association said it had “hoped” water companies would continue to “waive fees and cut bureaucracy…
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16 July

CAMRA brands Wetherspoon poster as ‘misleading’

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Society for Independent Brewers (SIBA) has branded JD Wetherspoon poster promoting lower alcoholic beverage prices as “misleading”, following Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a VAT reduction last week. The poster, which includes the CAMRA logo and features the slogan “Sunak’s Specials” says: ‘Rishi…
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14 July

Brewhouse & Kitchen revenues rise 2.9% during first week of reopening

Brewhouse and Kitchen – the 22 site national brewpub group – has reported 2.9% like-for-like sales growth in its first week trading post the Covid-19 lockdown. The group said it attributes the “strong start” to a “measured and gradual” approach to the reopening of its brewpubs, the “considerable” amount of…
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10 July

Oakman Inns appoints new CEO and chair as sales slide 17%

Oakman Inns has announced a series of board changes including the appointment of Dermot King as chief executive, also revealing that FY sales fell by 17% due to Covid-19. Prior to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Oakman revealed it was “trading well” with LFL sales up 4.3% year to…
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10 July

Opening weekend trade still down by 45% YoY

Managed pubs, bars and restaurants that opened last weekend saw like-for-like trading down by 44.5% against the year prior, according to latest figures from the CGA. Managed pubs and bars recorded sales that were down by 44.7% against the same weekend in 2019, while trade in reopened managed restaurants was…
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8 July

BBPA urges Sunak to cut VAT and business rates

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has uged Rishi Sunak to cut VAT, business rates and beer for brewers and pub businesses as they begin their “long and slow road to recovery after lockdown”. The trade association said its sector could, with the right support, help drive the economic…
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8 July

Pub and bar spending soars by 300%

Spending in pubs and bars soared by almost 300% over the 4 July and 5 July, compared to the weekend prior. According to the latest figures from Barclaycard, contactless transactions also increased by 137% over the first weekend of eased restrictions. In total, hospitality, leisure and entertainment grew by almost…
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6 July

Footfall returns as hospitality reopens

Footfall in England’s high streets rose by 19.6% on Saturday and 28.3% on Sunday in comparison to the weekend before, according to Springboard as Brits celebrated the reopening of the hospitality and leisure industry. Springboard found that post 5pm footfall in England rose by more than the 24 hour period…
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