Pubs and Bars
The Pubs and Bars section on Catering Today covers the business developments, market trends, and operational challenges shaping the UK’s pub and bar sector. It reports on acquisitions, brand expansions, drinks innovation, and regulatory updates, alongside insights into staffing, sustainability, and consumer behaviour. With expert commentary and commercial analysis, Catering Today provides industry professionals with the intelligence needed to navigate a competitive and fast-evolving on-trade environment.
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Aug- 2020 -4 August
Star Pubs & Bars invests £1m into Glasgow pubs
Two Glasgow pubs are benefiting from upgrades as part of a £1.04 million investment in Scotland’s West Central Belt pubs by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars. Work is set to start on a £325,000 refurbishment of The Princess in Riddrie, whilst The Drum in Shettleston reopens this week following a…
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3 August
BBPA welcomes Welsh government reopening announcement
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed the Welsh government “finally” confirming that all pubs can reopen in Wales, both indoors and outdoors. In an announcement, the first minister Mark Drakeford, said pubs in Wales would be able to reopen indoors from today (3 August). Previously, pubs in…
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Jul- 2020 -31 July
BBPA repeats call for government to cut VAT on beer in pubs
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the UK government to extend its VAT cut on food in pubs to include beer as well. The trade association has made the plea as the European Commission confirmed that within the EU’s VAT Directives, Member States can apply targeted reductions…
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30 July
Fullers in ‘stronger position than many’ despite £10m hit
Fullers has welcomed a “transformational” year of trading, with revenue and other income from continuing operations up 3% to £333m in the year ended 28 March 2020. Profit before tax for total group operations soared from £26.1m to £174.5m in the period. Like-for-like growth was seen across all areas of…
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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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