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.

Nov- 2023 -

13 November

Daniel Thwaites turnover jumps 4% in H1

Daniel Thwaites has revealed that turnover for the half-year ended 30 September hit £60.3m, increasing by 4%. This is despite the group’s operating profit dropping from £9.9m last year to £8.8m for the half-year, which was attributed to the impact of property disposal at the hospitality group. Daniel Thwaites reported…
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10 November

Piano Works to leave West End for Covent Garden

Live music bar Piano Works has announced that it is moving to Covent Garden this month. It is re-opening within a Nightcap venue at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on the corner of Drury Lane. This comes after the company applied to Westminster Council to increase its licensed capacity at its…
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10 November

Stonegate Group reopens The Hare and Hounds pub

UK-based pub company Stonegate Group has announced the reopening of The Hare and Hounds pub in St Albans after an extensive refurbishment project. The pub which was temporarily closed since mid-August has been refurbished after it received a six-figure investment from the pub group. The revamp has included substantial enhancements…
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8 November

Wetherspoon sales rise 9.5% in Q1

J D Wetherspoon has reported a LFL sales growth of 9.5% for the 14 weeks ended 5 November. Bar sales increased by 10.7%, food by 8.2% and slot machines by 10%. Hotel room sales for the group also increased by 6.2%. Total sales have increased by 8.1% in the year…
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8 November

Young’s Smiths of Smithfields appoints new head chef

Young’s-owned pub Smiths of Smithfield has appointed Tim Dela Cruz as its new head chef. Smiths of Smithfield stretches across four-floors with an all-day bar, first-floor private rooms and rooftop terrace, with a dedicated restaurant on the second floor serving prime-cuts of meat and locally sourced produce. With a wealth…
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7 November

Oakman Group profits fall despite jump in sales

Oakman Inns and Restaurants has reported that its EBITDA dropped from £12.0m to £9.8m for the last financial year (June 2023) as its profits were impacted by inflation. However, its group sales were 8% ahead of the prior year at just under £70m. In addition, like-for-like sales for the core…
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3 November

CMBC to invest £10m+ in Northampton Brewery to boost sustainability

Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has announced its plans to invest more than £10m in upgrading equipment at its Northampton Brewery, further increasing capacity for producing its innovative Snap Pack packaging and reducing its water usage. The investments will see three significant upgrades realised, with all three set to go…
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1 November

Young’s Pubs acquires The Crooked Billet in Clapton

Young’s Pubs has acquired The Crooked Billet in Clapton, further growing its presence in London. The Crooked Billet is a two-storey, 4,500 sq.ft wet-led pub with an expansive garden in the heart of East London. Previously operated by London Ordinaries Limited, owned by Michael Burman, Malc Heap and Nick Pring,…
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Oct- 2023 -

31 October

Refurbished bar and nightclub in Perth up for lease

Refurbished bar and nightclub Forty Four in Perth, Scotland has been put up for lease with an asking price of £15,000. The business primarily operates as a sports bar, screening live sporting events from the large public bar and hosting live music in the evening. The late-night function lounge is…
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31 October

Trust Inns acquires The Bear Inn in Weston-super-Mare

Trust Inns has announced the acquisition of The Bear Inn, which is located on Walliscote Road, just two minutes from the Weston-super-Mare seafront and town centre. The operator of pubs has acquired the business as an investment opportunity, as it is expected to produce £62,400 per annum. The inn first…
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