Sold

We report on business sales and ownership changes across the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, including restaurant acquisitions, pub disposals, catering firm takeovers, and brand portfolio restructures. Our coverage captures who’s buying, who’s selling, and why, with commercial context that matters to operators, F&B executives, and group-level decision-makers. Whether it’s a strategic divestment, private equity deal, or local venue sale, we break down what the transaction means for market positioning, leadership, and operational continuity across the industry.

Jul- 2020 -

31 July

Beverages

BBPA repeats call for government to cut VAT on beer in pubs

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the UK government to extend its VAT cut on food in pubs to include beer as well. The trade association has made the plea as the European Commission confirmed that within the EU’s VAT Directives, Member States can apply targeted reductions…
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30 July

Pubs and Bars

Fullers in ‘stronger position than many’ despite £10m hit

Fullers has welcomed a “transformational” year of trading, with revenue and other income from continuing operations up 3% to £333m in the year ended 28 March 2020. Profit before tax for total group operations soared from £26.1m to £174.5m in the period. Like-for-like growth was seen across all areas of…
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16 July

Restaurants

Bistrot Pierre collapses into administration

KPMG has revealed it has led the administration of restaurant group Le Bistrot Pierre. The firm confirmed that restructuring practice members, Will Wright and Steve Absolom, were appointed joint administrators of the French-style restaurant chain. Following their appointment, the business and certain assets were “immediately” sold to Bistrot Pierre 1994…
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14 July

Pubs and Bars

Brewhouse & Kitchen revenues rise 2.9% during first week of reopening

Brewhouse and Kitchen – the 22 site national brewpub group – has reported 2.9% like-for-like sales growth in its first week trading post the Covid-19 lockdown. The group said it attributes the “strong start” to a “measured and gradual” approach to the reopening of its brewpubs, the “considerable” amount of…
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Jun- 2020 -

24 June

News

145 million additional pints to be sold with one-metre rule

Following the government’s announcement that social distancing is to be reduced to one-metre, CGA has calculated the precise sales boost this could give hospitality. According to the data group, the move would allow for 145 million additional pints of beer to be sold through the hospitality sector, compared with what…
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17 June

Coronavirus

Spanish restaurant group Ultracomida invests in online ‘deli deliveries’

Spanish bar and restaurant group Ultracomida has announced plans to expand its ‘deli home delivery’ service, click and collect, and online tasting events, after a successful trial period. The independent boutique operators run two deli-restaurants in the coastal towns of Narberth and Aberystwyth, as well as Curado Bar and Vermut…
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May- 2020 -

7 May

Pubs and Bars

April could have been ‘best for pub trade in a decade’, says BBPA

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has revealed that April 2020 could have been the “best for the beer and pub trade in a decade”, if it weren’t for the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. The trade association, which tracks sales of beer in pubs and shops, forecasts that 35…
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Apr- 2020 -

29 April

Business Bites

The aviation industry is now in very serious trouble

In a sign of just how distressed the aviation industry is, British Airways has announced plans to lay off 30% of its workforce, or about 12,000 employees, and says it expects it to take several years before passenger volumes return to 2019 levels. The chief executive, Alex Cruz, wrote to…
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27 April

Pubs and Bars

16 Hospitality appoints administrators

Sarah O’Toole and Jason Bell of Grant Thornton UK have been appointed as joint administrators of pub group 16 Hospitality. The group owns and operates four pubs, including The Partridge in Stretton, The Old Hall Hotel in Frodsham, The White Eagle in Rhoscolyn and The Oyster Catcher in Rhosneigr. The…
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27 April

Pubs and Bars

‘Huge blows’ to pubs as government fails to defer Beer Duty payment, says BBPA

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has said the government’s failure to defer beer duty is a “huge blow” to pubs and brewers, amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The government has rejected the call for a blanket deferral of beer duty payments relating to beer produced in March, despite the…
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