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.

Feb- 2025 -

7 February

New rooftop cocktail bar Agni to open in Leeds

New rooftop destination Agni is set to open within Keralan restaurant UYARE by Tharavadu in Leeds in the spring. Designed to be an immersive drinking experience, Agni – meaning ‘fire’ in Sanskrit and Hindi – will have a cocktail menu curated in collaboration with mixologist Filippos Filippopoulos from Tabula Rasa.…
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5 February

Storm Éowyn curtails drinks sales revival in January

Drinks sales in the UK fell 5% year-on-year in the seven days ended Saturday 25 January as Storm Éowyn caused people to stay at home, according to data from hospitality consultants CGA. Daily trade slumped 14% on Friday 24 January as Storm Éowyn raced in and many consumers were advised…
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5 February

Punch Pubs and Co acquires the Bull, Ilchester

Punch Pubs and Co has added to its growing portfolio with the acquisition of The Bull pub in Ilchester, Somerset, for an undisclosed sum. The traditional wet-led pub sits within Punch’s Leased and Tenanted estate, and will be operated by experienced publican Yvonne Wright, who will be relaunching the Bull…
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4 February

Admiral Taverns ‘well-positioned’ to weather tax increases

Admiral Taverns has stated that it is “well-positioned” to weather increases in employer National Insurance contributions and business rates following strong trading. The company revealed that its underlying operating profits rose almost 1% from £36.9m to £37.2m for the year ended 26 May 2024. Alongside this, the company’s turnover rose…
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4 February

Park Hyatt London to launch Tamisé Wine Library and Tea Lounge

Park Hyatt London River Thames is set to open Tamisé Wine Library and Tea Lounge, a new wine destination, on 14 February 2025. Inspired by the French word meaning “evoking the gentle dimming of light”, Tamisé has been meticulously crafted by Studio Moren, drawing inspiration from “London’s rich heritage while…
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3 February

Lidl gets greenlight to open first in-store pub in Northern Ireland

Lidl has received permission from a High Court to open its first ever in-store pub inside its store in Dundonald, near Belfast, Sky News reported. This comes after a judge dismissed an appeal from another trader. During the ruling on Monday (27 January), Mr Justice Colton said that he saw…
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Jan- 2025 -

31 January

Brother Marcus and Hagen to open new sites in Canary Wharf

Brother Marcus and Hagen are set to open new F&B sites at YY London, a newly refurbished 415,000 sq ft Canary Wharf office building. Brother Marcus, London’s Eastern Mediterranean restaurant group, founded by duo Tas Gaitanos and Alex Large, is bringing its brunch, mezze, cocktails and Eastern Med wines to…
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31 January

Butcombe sees 7.8% rise in FY24 revenues

Butcombe Group, a privately owned premium pub operator and brewing group, has reported that its full-year LFL revenues were up by 7.8%, including 23% LFL across the two week Christmas period. For the year ended 25 January 2025, its standout performance was in food at 12% growth, with both accommodation…
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30 January

Weymouth pub hits the market for the first time in 40 years

The Weatherbury, a traditional pub with rooms in the coastal town of Weymouth, has hit the market for the first time in nearly 40 years with an asking price of £650,000. Located in a residential neighbourhood a short walk from Weymouth beach, The Weatherbury is a 18th Century pub and…
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29 January

Greene King sees 30% uplift in Xmas Day online bookings

Greene King saw a 30% increase in online Christmas Day bookings in its managed pubs compared to the previous year, with a 13% increase in December alone. With 45 million customers visiting Greene King’s websites annually, the company has delivered a multi-million pound investment which has transformed its online presence.…
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