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.

Mar- 2021 -

11 March

Mitchells and Butlers finalises £350m cash injection

Mitchells and Butlers has confirmed the completion of a £350m funding round, as shareholders raised vital cash for the group. The owner of All Bar One and Toby Carvery has raised £350.5m through the upcoming issuing of 167 million new shares in an open offer. The funding will be used…
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11 March

Marston’s CEO to step down

Marston’s has announced that Ralph Findlay will step down from the role of CEO at the end of the current financial year ending 30 September 2021. The process to appoint his successor is underway and a further announcement will be made in due course. Findlay has been CEO of Marston’s…
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9 March

Oakman Group expands portfolio by six

The Oakman Group has announced the acquisition of six pubs from the administrators of Seafood Pub Company, expanding its portfolio by 20%. The deal sees Joycelyn Neve, founder and former managing director (MD) at Seafood, join the Oakman Group as MD of the newly formed Seafood Pub northern division. Some…
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9 March

The Saddlers to undergo £250,000 refurbishment

The Saddlers at Lympstone is to undergo a £250,000 refurbishment which will aim to be completed by reopening in May, according to Star Pubs and Bars and Webb Enterprises. The investment includes a new 40-seater restaurant extension which will aim to reduce overflow dining in the bar. Other internal improvements…
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8 March

Antic London secures CBILS funding package

Antic London, a pub group based in England’s capital, has received a CBILS funding package from ThinCats, a finance provider to mid-sized SMEs. Founded in 1999, Antic finds alternative and unusual properties in recently rejuvenated and well-situated areas, before turning them into “landmark locals” for the surrounding communities. The investment…
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5 March

Barkby Pubs ‘poised for significant growth’ post-lockdown

The Barkby Group, operators of Barkby Pubs, has announced that like-for-like sales across its pub estate were down by 45% between 1 October and 31 December 2020, but said the group is “poised for significant growth and a return to profitability” once the sector reopens this spring. Between 1 July…
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4 March

Revolution predicts ‘rapid rebound’ amid reopening

Revolution Bars Group is predicting a “rapid rebound” in trade and “significant” pent-up demand once the sector reopens, as it welcomes the “clarity” provided by the government’s recent roadmap announcement. The operator of 66 premium bars, trading under the Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba brands, intends to initially open 20…
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4 March

JD Wetherspoon to reopen 400 sites on reduced hours

JD Wetherspoon is set to reopen 394 of its pubs with beer gardens, rooftop gardens, and patios, in England from 12 April 2021. While there has been no curfew put in place as a part of government measures, the pub chain will operate on a reduced hours structure. The majority…
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1 March

30 licensed premises closed a day in 2020

Nearly 12,000 licensed premises have closed in Britain since December 2019, an average of around 30 a day and the highest rate on record, according to research from the new edition CGA and AlixPartners. While 4,170 new sites have been recorded since December 2019, the loss of 11,894 venues means…
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Feb- 2021 -

25 February

Chester Pub manager found guilty of watering down spirits

A pub in West Chester and its manager faces a £2,454 fine after the manager was found to be watering down the alcohol it served to customers. Jia Tong Chen, manager of the Dunham Arms on Chester Road, Dunham on the Hill, pleaded guilty to nine offences in respect of…
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