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- 2024 -

9 July

Drinks sales rise 6% as Euros continues

Drinks sales in the UK’s managed venues rose 6% in the week ended 29 June, according to data from CGA. This upswing was mostly caused by England’s final group game at the European Championship vs Slovenia. The game on Tuesday 25 June saw sales rise 71% compared with the same…
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9 July

Cheltenham’s Tivoli pub to open in late July

West country’s pub landlord pair Tom Noest and Peter Creed are set to open a new pub in Cheltenham on 26 July. Bringing their portfolio up to five venues, The Tivoli marks the first foray into a “slightly more urban domain”, with the new venue opening in the heart of…
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9 July

Marston’s to dispose of 40% stake in Carlesbeg JV

Marston’s has announced the sale of its 40% interest in Carlsberg Marston’s Limited to a subsidiary of Carlsberg for £206m in cash to create a business entirely focused on pubs. According to Marston’s, pubs are at the “heart of UK socialising and the UK pub market offers significant opportunities to…
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8 July

Bohem Brewery opens second London bar

London’s Bohem Brewery has opened its second venue after taking on the lease of the Nicholas Nickleby pub in Finsbury Park. The pub has reopened after an extensive refurbishment, serving a range of beers brewed in “authentic Czech style” at the Bohem Brewery in Tottenham. Beer dispensing at the Nicholas…
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8 July

Slug and Lettuce posts pre-tax loss of £3.1m

Slug and Lettuce has reported a pre-tax loss of £3.1m for the 12-month period to September 2023 after the bar chain initially recorded profits of £2.2m in 2022. Slug and Lettuce has attributed its performance to revenues inching down from £48.6m to £48.5m due to “the impact of the macroeconomic…
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8 July

Pub and bar insolvencies jump 30% in past year

The number of insolvencies of pub and bar companies has jumped 30% in the past year, according to data from UHY Hacker Young. For the year ended 30 April 2024, 784 hospitality businesses went under compared with 602 insolvencies in the year ended 30 April 2023. Pub and bar insolvencies…
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5 July

London’s Radio Rooftop reopens after £2.5m refurb

London rooftop bar Radio has officially reopened at ME London this week following an extensive £2.5m refurbishment programme. Located in the heart of the Strand, ME London celebrates 10 years of innovation and individuality with the reopening of Radio, renowned for its “spectacular views” of London’s skyline. Led by international…
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5 July

Marston’s appoints Kenneth Lever as chair

Marston’s has announced that Kenneth Lever has been appointed as independent non-executive chair of the company with effect from 8 July 2024, following an extensive external process. Lever succeeds William Rucker who, as previously announced, steps down from the board on the same date. Lever will also be appointed as…
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2 July

Euros and Father’s Day boost beer sales

Beer sales in managed venues rose 18% in the week ended 22 June as a result of the combination of the European Championship and Father’s Day. The upswing helped cause a 9% increase in total drinks sales compared with the same period last year, according to data from CGA. This…
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1 July

Red Engine to launch Electric Shuffle site in New York

Red Engine has announced that it is set to launch a flagship Electric Shuffle bar in New York City on 12 July. Located in the NoMad district, the multi-million-pound investment occupies 10,000 square feet of Manhattan real estate on the second floor next to the Virgin Hotel. Set across two…
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