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.

Oct- 2024 -

16 October

Heron and Brearley Group appoints ex-Liberation CEO as chairman

Isle of Man-based hospitality group Heron and Brearley Group has announced the appointment of Mark Crowther, former chief executive of the Liberation Group, as chairman. Crowther, who has worked for 11 years as Liberation Group’s CEO, brings over 30 years’ food, drink, and hospitality experience to the Manx business. He…
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15 October

The Nursery Inn pub in Stockport reopens after £250k refurb

Hydes Brewery has reopened the doors of its Stockport pub, The Nursery Inn, following a £250k refurbishment. The refurbishment of the 1939-built pub, a Grade II listed building owned by Salford-based Hydes, includes a full interior overhaul including a respectful redecoration, new furniture and fixtures in keeping with the pub’s…
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9 October

Arc Inspirations to bring Box to Sheffield

Arc Inspirations has announced that it is set to open its sports bar and kitchen brand Box in Sheffield in November. Located near Sheffield City Hall the new venue is part of the ‘Heart of the City’ redevelopment project bringing an investment of £2.7m that will create 55 new jobs.…
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9 October

Marston’s sales increase 5.8% in FY24

Marston’s total retail sales increased 5.8% according to its preliminary results for the 52 weeks to 28 September 2024. The UK operator of 1,339 pubs said it also saw its like-for-like sales increase 4.8%, outperforming the broader market. The group said that both food and drink have shown “good momentum”…
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8 October

Admiral Taverns unveils Travellers Rest refurb

Admiral Taverns has reopened The Travellers Rest in Stoke-on-Trent following a £196,000 refurbishment. Inside, the pub has received a full refurbishment including updates to both the bar and lounge area complete with a new dartboard and four televisions. Outside, the pub hosts a garden complete with a brand new, 65-inch…
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8 October

Epiris acquires Amber Taverns

Epiris has announced that Epiris Fund III has agreed to acquire pub operator Amber Taverns for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition is Epiris Fund III’s fifth investment, following Delinian, LoneStar, Pure Cremation and GSF Car Parts. Amber Taverns operates 178 freehold, wet-led pubs, predominantly in the North of England, the…
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7 October

Montgomery Group to open pub with rooms in Oxfordshire

The Montgomery Group has announced that it is set to launch The Bat and Ball, a pub with rooms, in Cuddesdon, Oxfordshire, in November. This will be the second opening from owner Ben Moss, who successfully took over 15th-Century pub The Lamb Inn in 2022 It also marks the beginning…
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7 October

Punch Pubs adds three new pubs to portfolio

Punch Pubs and Co has added The Bull in Bedford, the Grey Horses Inn in Carlton-in-Lindrick and The Salmon Leap in Totton to its portfolio. The Bull, which is close to Bedford’s town centre, will sit within Punch’s leased and tenanted estate with publicans Dean and Sarah Harris at the…
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7 October

Stonegate launches Social Pub and Kitchen brand to consumers

Stonegate Group has introduced its new Social Pub and Kitchen brand to consumers, following the refurbishment and rebrand of pubs across England and Scotland. With more than £5m invested into refurbishing its pubs in FY24 and with more to come in FY25, this investment project aims to enhance its managed…
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4 October

Inception Group revenues jump 16.7% in FY23

Inception Group’s turnover hit £26.5m in 2023, a 16.7% increase from £22.7m in 2022, as the 2023 financial year ended. The hospitality group, which owns venues including Bunga Bunga, Cahoots, and Mr Fogg’s, now forecasts a “record-breaking” year with projected revenues of £29m in 2024. However, group EBITDA during the…
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