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.
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Apr- 2024 -8 April
Strong St Patrick’s Day tips drinks sales into growth
Average drinks sales in the UK’s managed venues for the week ended 23 March were up 1% compared with the same period last year. It follows a 1% increase over the previous week, and 5% growth in the seven days before that. Pubs and bars took advantage of St Patrick’s…
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8 April
Heartwood acquires The White Hart in Lymington
Heartwood Collection has extended its portfolio with the acquisition of a new pub, The White Hart in Lymington, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition is part of the group’s growth plans, which remains on track to grow to over 60 sites by 2027. Dating back to the 1700’s this historic…
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5 April
Majestic acquires Vagabond Wines
Vagabond Wines has been bought out of administration by the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer Majestic Wines. The strategic acquisition provides clarity and job security for 171 Vagabond colleagues following a period of uncertainty, after the business went into administration last month. Following the acquisition, Majestic plans to invest in…
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2 April
Revolution Bars shares suspended amid uncertain future
Revolution Bars has had its shares suspended from trading on AIM after it failed to produce its interim financial results. The company was required to publish its results by 30 March 2023 but was unable to do so. It follows the closure of eight Revolution bars across England in January…
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Mar- 2024 -28 March
Butcombe Pubs and Inns sees ‘record sales’ in March
Butcombe Pubs and Inns has reported “record sales” for March thanks to a bumper Mother’s Day weekend and the Cheltenham Festival. The Mother’s Day weekend saw the pub group, with sites across the south of England, cater nearly 8% more covers than last year. This year both Saturday 9 and…
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28 March
The Maltshovel pub reopens following £260k investment
The Maltshovel in Pontefract has reopened today (28 March 2024) following a £260,000 refurbishment. The Grade II listed Tudor revival building in which The Maltshovel is situated is home to a 14th Century cellar that is rumoured to have tunnels leading to Leeds Castle. The pub, which received funding from…
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27 March
Urban Pubs and Bars announces Red Setter opening
Urban Pubs and Bars has revealed it is set to open The Red Setter in Battersea, London, following a £1m refurbishment and building programme as part of the group’s latest expansion plans. The latest pub has been designed to offer a welcoming atmosphere combined with a selection of fine food…
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26 March
Nearly 75% of consumers visited a pub or bar over Christmas
Nearly three quarters (73%) of consumers visited a licensed venue over the festive season, according to data from CGA. However, the number of people going out fell by five percentage points year-on-year, as high inflation put pressure on spending. Nearly all (97%) consumers told CGA they had been affected by…
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26 March
The Woodman Inn in Yorkshire unveils wedding venue refurb
The Woodman Inn has revealed it has undergone a refurbishment of its events space, elevating its status as a wedding venue in Yorkshire. The pub was acquired privately by Robinsons Brewery in June 2022 and has been central to its wedding strategy in the five pubs it owns with wedding…
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22 March
Wetherspoon profits jump 81% to £67.7m as revenues soar
JD Wetherspoon profits rose 81% to £67.7m as revenues increased 8.2% to £991m during the 26 weeks ended 28 January 2024. Like-for-like sales increased by 9.9% compared to FY23. Like-for-like bar sales increased by 11.6%, food sales by 7.6%, slot/fruit machine sales by 10.5% and hotel rooms by 2.8%. The…
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