Today’s news in brief – 26/11/24
CAMRA has reported that pubs will soon be unable to stock 11 beers, following the Carlsberg buy-out of the last of Marston’s UK brewing operations. The Campaign for Real Ale has expressed concern that powerful global brewers could “hugely reduce consumer choice in the UK” as CMBC axes eight classic British cask beers.
Rocket Leisure has secured a £6.4m loan from OakNorth to refinance an existing facility, acquire the freehold on its Venn St site and expand with additional sites. The live music operator was founded in 2010 by brothers Russell and Howard Taylor and their business partner Tom Jackman.
Prezzo has appointed a new chief marketing officer on a fractional basis. Mark McCulloch, the founder and CEO of Supersonic INC, will work closely with Prezzo CEO James Brown to drive the chain’s strategy and revitalise its position. He brings over 20 years of experience, having held senior marketing roles at some of the industry’s biggest names.
UKH has attended a roundtable with the PM to discuss spiking prevention and new training for hospitality businesses. CEO Kate Nicholls, along with Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper discusses the Home Office’s plans to roll out nationwide training on this issue. The training aims to make sure all door and bar staff know how to prevent spiking.
Loungers opened its fourth Brightside at the Ram Jam Services in Rutland last Friday (22 November). The roadside dining concept is part of a purpose-built retail development of four units adjacent to an established petrol station and a new bakery. This opening follows on from the introduction of Brightside Exeter in February 2023.
