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.

Aug- 2021 -

6 August

The Thatched Cottage to reopen in August with new owner

Northeast Hampshire pub, The Thatched Cottage has revealed that it will reopen this August having had its leasehold sale acquired by local resident Craig Fitzpatrick alongside his business partner, Neil Williams. Situated on a large plot on the junction of Prospect Road and Chestnut Road, the Grade II listed property…
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3 August

WSH and Stonegate Group join the Zero Carbon Forum

Westbury Street Holdings (WSH) and the UK’s largest pub company Stonegate Group have announced they have signed up to the Zero Carbon Forum, an initiative aimed at helping the hospitality sector achieve net zero emissions. First launched in December 2020, with the latest additions the non-profit now convenes 27 businesses…
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Jul- 2021 -

29 July

Mitchells and Butlers reports ‘volatile’ trading post-lockdown

Mitchells and Butlers has reported “volatile” sales since the reopening of its estate on 17 May 2021. In a recent trading update for the 43 weeks ended 24 July 2021, the group said total sales, including 18 weeks of enforced closure, were at 35% of pre-Covid levels. In the first…
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28 July

Marston’s reopening sales beat expectations

Marston’s pub group has reported that overall sales for the 42 weeks to 24 July 2021 have been “encouraging, and better than expectations”. In the first week of trading since restrictions were lifted on 19 July, the group said it saw a “modest uplift” in sales adding that whilst this…
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26 July

Star Pubs & Bars awards long service licensee

Star Pubs and Bars has presented licensee Paul Monk, of the Bowling Green Inn on Brook Street in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, with an award for his 35 years in service. The group said that the long service award recognises the “contribution” Monk has made to the town and the pub. One of…
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26 July

Admiral Taverns acquires Hawthorn for £222.3m

Admiral Taverns has announced that it has acquired the entire issued share capital of the Hawthorn pub portfolio from real estate investors NewRiver, for a total consideration of approximately £222.3m. Hawthorn currently operates 674 pubs through a mixture of tenanted, leased and operator managed sites across the UK. The acquisition…
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20 July

The Victoria to undergo £800k refurb

Public Urban Bars has begun a £800,000 refurbishment of The Victoria in Rainhill with the aid of Star Pubs and Bars. The pub will be converted into the group’s fourth Cookhouse Pub and Carvery site and will open in early October 2021, creating 40 new jobs. Outside work will renovate…
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20 July

Marstons announces director shakeup

Pub group Marston’s, has announced that Carolyn Bradley, a non-executive director and senior independent director will step down from her role with effect from 31 July 2021. Bradley will instead join the board of TheWorks.co.uk as its newest chairman following an annual general meeting on 30 September 2021. She is…
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13 July

Star Pubs & Bars supports £600k refurb of The Hobbit

Alternative Pubs is reopening The Hobbit pub in Southampton following a £600k joint investment with Star Pubs and Bars. The refurbishment has given the pub a “unique fantasy theme” and added one of the “biggest beer gardens” in the city centre. In addition,10 new jobs have been created. The enlarged…
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13 July

Knightley Arms opens community café for local residents

The Knightley Arms, a Northamptonshire pub, has opened a community café to act as a social hub for local residents. Jen Rees, who took over the then closed venue in October 2020, intends to re-establish the site as “the heart of the village” of Yelvertoft. In order to diversify from…
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