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.

Mar- 2021 -

16 March

Nightcap racks up over £300,000 in lockdown costs

Nightcap has announced that it incurred costs of £318,342 for Q4 of 2020, with the group unable to offset the losses with any turnover. The group, owned by Sarah Willingham, completed its first acquisition of London Cocktail Club (LCC) on 13 January 2021, after the period ended. Therefore, Nightcap acted…
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15 March

Stars Pubs and Bars invests further £19m in rent concessions

Star Pubs and Bars is investing a further £19m in lockdown rent concessions for its pubs, to ensure that its venues successfully reopen come 21 June – the predicted date for when hospitality can resume normal trading in England. As part of the support, the group will extend its 90%…
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12 March

Admiral tops satisfaction score in UK licensees survey

Admiral Taverns has received the highest overall satisfaction score amongst the UK’s pub companies in Kam Media’s annual licensee survey. Kam Media’s poll consulted tenants from 19 pub companies, including six of the UK’s largest pub groups to establish a ranking based on a variety of criteria. The companies were…
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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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