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.

Jul- 2020 -

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…
Read More »
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…
Read More »
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…
Read More »
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…
Read More »
3 July

BBPA urges Welsh government to confirm reopening dates

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), has urged the Welsh government to confirm when all pubs, rather than just those with outdoor space, will be able to reopen in Wales as “a matter of urgency”. The call comes as the Welsh government today announced that pub beer gardens will…
Read More »
2 July

Mitchells and Butlers swings to £121m loss

Mitchells and Butlers sales fell by 12.4% to £1.04bn in the half-year ended 11 April, while adjusted operating profit was £108m, down from £151m the year prior. In light of the pandemic and consequent lockdown, the group fell to a pre-tax loss of £121m. The group also made an operating…
Read More »
Jun- 2020 -

29 June

Revolution outlines ‘cautious’ reopening

Ahead of the hospitality sector’s reopening later this week, Revolution Bars has confirmed its intention to reopen six of its bars on 6 July, and keep them open for a “minimum” period of two weeks. The “cautious” recommencement of trading forms part of the group’s plan to “fully test” customer…
Read More »
26 June

Marston’s profits plunge as Covid-19 leads to £40m sales hit

Marston’s has said it remains “uncertain” about its short-term financial outlook, after its profits took a £40m hit following lockdown. Its latest update comes ahead of the reopening of its estate on 4 July. The brewer and operator revealed that its underlying profit before tax was £9.4m in the half-year…
Read More »
26 June

BBPA welcomes plans for ‘Al Fresco Pubs’, as pubs face 30% reduction in capacity

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed plans for ‘Al Fresco Pubs’, whereby pubs will be given more freedom to serve customers outside. The trade association said the move will help pubs on their road to recovery, as it reveals today that pubs in England face a 30%…
Read More »
25 June

Diageo launches $100m recovery fund to help pubs and bars

Diageo has today announced a new global programme to support pubs and bars to welcome customers back and recover following the Covid-19 pandemic. ‘Raising the Bar’ will be a two-year programme available from July 2020. Diageo will provide $100m (£80.4m) to support the recovery of major hospitality centres, including: New…
Read More »