Pubs and Bars

The latest news and updates on pubs and bars, from the business journalists at Catering Today. We bring you the latest on what’s happening in the restaurants, bars and catering industry, with exclusive stories, analysis, best practice and industry comment.

Jan- 2024 -

31 January

Admiral Taverns invests over £27m into community pubs

Admiral Taverns has announced that it invested over £27m to improve its community pubs in 2023. The group, which owns approximately 1,500 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales, has invested the funds into over 300 pubs across both its leased and tenanted estate and its community wet-led division, Proper Pubs.…
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31 January

Incipio Group revenues hit record £26.4m amid bumper Xmas

Incipio Group has reported that like-for-like sales rose 66% on the same period last year, contributing to a “record” year in sales of £26.4m after it experienced its strongest ever month of trading in December 2023. The company, which operates hospitality venues including Pergola on the Wharf, The Libertine and…
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30 January

Stonegate to reopen Red Cross Inn following 200k investment

Stonegate Group’s Red Cross Inn in Reigate is set to open its doors on 1 February following a £200,000 investment by the Craft Union Pub Company. The grade II listed building has received works inside and out. The venue features new fixtures and fittings, decorative “enhancements” and an outdoor area.…
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29 January

Brakspear acquires two sites from New Dawn Pubs

Pub operator Brakspear is expanding its leased and tenanted estate into Hampshire with the purchase of two pubs in the county from New Dawn Pubs. The Rose and Crown near Alton and The Royal Exchange near Bordon will join Brakspear’s 110-strong L&T estate. Both pubs benefit from “idyllic” village locations,…
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25 January

Northern hospitality venues welcome 7.2% sales growth in 2023

Hospitality vendors in the North have demonstrated growth and resilience over the past year, averaging 7.2% sales growth despite the cost of living crisis and escalating business rates. New research conducted by Northern Restaurant and Bar in partnership with CGA by NielsenIQ revealed all northern England cities saw a growth…
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24 January

Wetherspoons H1 sales rise 10.1%

Wetherspoons has revealed that like-for-like sales were 10.1% higher during the 25 weeks to 21 January compared with last year. The pub chain attributed its performance to bar sales rising by 11.8%, food by 7.9%, and slot and fruit machines by 10.4%. Hotel rooms in its pub estate also saw…
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23 January

Marston’s sales jump 8.8% over festive period

Marston’s PLC has reported an 8.8% sales increase in the group’s managed and franchised pubs for the 16-week period to 20 January 2024. Both drink sales and food sales have been “strong”, a result which the pub company said demonstrates “the resilience and appeal of our predominantly suburban pubs”. Like-for-like…
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22 January

Christmas hangover hits as drinks sales drop 7%

Average sales in managed venues dropped 7% in the week ended 13 January compared with the same week in 2022. After a strong Christmas and a solid first week of 2024, many people will have sought to save some money by staying in. Cold weather and ‘Dry January’ may have…
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18 January

Young’s reports 9.0% rise in revenues

Young’s and Co Brewery has reported a 9.0% increase in managed revenues and 7.2% increase in like-for-like sales for the five-week Christmas and New Year period ending 1 January 2024. Additionally, its total managed revenue rose 6.9% and 4.7% on a like-for-like basis for the 13 weeks ended 1 January…
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17 January

NTIA accuses Government of systematically closing nightlife

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has accused the Government of systematically closing nightlife following the news of the Rekom Group calling in administrators. Rekom, which owns the Atik and Pryzm brands, said any restructure of the business could see some of its well-known nightclubs shut for good. As a…
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