Saturday, March 26, 2011

Friday, March 25, 2011

Pub Accommodation; Demand Rises for Family Breaks

Iknow-uk has found a huge demand for pub accommodation over the last month, drawing interest from families seeking out alternative places to stay during school holidays.

There has been more than 22,000 visits on its regional sites for pub accommodation within the past month, with Whitby, Exeter and Windermere being amongst the most sought-after locations.

Julian Ross, iknow-uk's managing director said: "With so much travel chaos caused during school holidays last year, it's no surprise that people are looking closer to home for family holidays.

"Pub accommodation provides an easy solution for families, due to the 'homely' style of rooms which are big enough for the entire family, combined with the convenience of dining options and evening entertainment all under one roof.

"Our fantastic selection of pubs look set to see a great year ahead with people from the UK and beyond looking to discover their charm."

Thursday, March 24, 2011

UK Pub News: Licensed Trade News and Media

Adding your site to this pub and licensed trade directory is completely free as long as it is relevant to pubs and the licensed trade in England, Scotland and Wales.Or you can simply search the pub and licensed trade directory for a business or organisation - find contact details, websites, email addresses and more.

The Directory holds full listings of all pub and licensed trade media websites, and media discussion including radio, television, pub magazines, pub newspapers, pub web sites, pub discussion forums, pub blogs, etc.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Punch Taverns Demerger; Share Price up 4%

Punch Taverns is to split its business in two and sell thousands of pubs as part of a major overhaul of the firm, reports the BBC.

Punch, the UK's biggest pubs group, said it would split its managed and leased pub operations to create two new public companies.

The size of the leased business will be halved to about 3,000 pubs.

The managed side will be named Spirit, with some pubs changed to existing brands such as Chef & Brewer, Fayre & Square and Flaming Grill.

Punch Taverns has been struggling with falling profits and rising debt, which hit £3.3bn last year.

Its shares rose 4% following the announcement.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Budget Fears for BBPA

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has put the future of the British brewing industry at the heart of its submission to chancellor George Osborne ahead of this month’s Budget.

The BBPA is leading the industry’s lobbying of the chancellor, highlighting the fact that latest data shows total UK alcohol consumption is lower than it was 10 years ago and action is required to protect the British brewing industry.

According to the BBPA, the figures also show a trend away from lower-strength drinks such as beer towards stronger drinks. Beer producers say that after over a decade of unfavourable tax treatment for beer, the new consumption figures add to the case for the government to end the beer duty escalator, and freeze beer duty in the 23 March Budget.

The BBPA also says that when it comes to this week’s call from the chancellor for policies that support UK manufacturing, “he could hardly pick a better place to start than Britain’s brewing industry, with its unique variety of British-based products.”

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Lord's Tavern Pub Refurbishment and Re-opening

For almost a century and a half, the Lord’s Tavern has sat next to the Home of Cricket providing St John’s Wood residents and cricket fans with a place to reflect on the day’s sporting endeavours reports the Ham and High.

After experimenting with fine dining and remarketing itself as a bar and brasserie six years ago, a newly refurbished Tavern is set to open later this month which will go back to its public house roots and reflect the culinary history of Lord’s.

Working on the theme of a history of food and drink at Lord’s, the new Tavern is aiming to attract local residents by bringing 144 years of dining back to St John’s Wood.

Jon Robinson, Marylebone Cricket Club assistant secretary for marketing and catering, said: “The Lord’s Tavern has picked up a bad reputation over the last five or six years.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Kent Brewer and Pubco Reports Record Turnover and Beer Sales

Kent brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame achieved record turnover and total beer volume in the 26 weeks to 25 December 2010.

Turnover was up 1.6 per cent to £61.7m and like-for-like retail sales were up 3.6 per cent, with growth in liquor, food and accommodation.Operating profit for the half year stayed the same at £6.4m.

Based in Faversham, Kent, the company employs more than 1,000 people and operates 359 pubs in the South East.

Pub Trade News

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Facebook Social Networking Is Replacing the Pub

The rise of Facebook and other social networking websites has been partly blamed for the rapid closure of pubs – because people are catching up online instead of over a pint reports the Cambridge News.

And even Prince Charles made a plea to save Britain’s pubs when he visited Cambridge and National Trust beauty spot Anglesey Abbey this week.The prince stressed the need to protect local pubs in an age of “stultifying mono-culturalism” at the tourism summit.

The royal appeal came just before a new report by the British Beer and Pub
Association (BBPA) revealed that 137 pubs closed in the Anglia ITV region last year.The smoking ban and the rise in VAT and business rates have all been blamed for the slow demise of the local.

Royston Pederston, manager of The Zebra in Cambridge, which has recently reopened after a refit, has also pointed the finger at Facebook.He said: “My own theory is that pubs are closing because of the massive changes in society. People would traditionally go to a pub to meet friends but now they can sit at home and catch up on the gossip using Facebook.

Around 1,300 pubs closed across Britain last year, with the loss of 13,000 jobs.But the number of pub closures has fallen from 40 a week last year to 25 a week now, with the rate of losses highest in London and the North West.

A BBPA spokesman said: “East Anglia has many great pubs, and while towns like Cambridge have a vibrant pub culture, it has suffered from pub closures.
“And we mustn’t forget the huge role brewing plays in the rural economy in the region, which is very closely linked to pubs.”

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

London East End Pubs Employ 3000

The British Beer & Pub Association is warning against a tax increase in next week’s Budget, saying the industry plays a “vital role” in producing jobs, reports the East London Advertiser.

More than 3,000 people in Tower Hamlets are employed by pubs, figures released yesterday by the group show.

There are 196 pubs in the borough which contribute almost £120 million per year to the economy.

One East End brewer, who resurrected iconic brewery Truman’s last year, said pubs have been unfairly caught up in the bad press around binge drinking.

Michael George Hemus, who runs the brand with James Morgan, said: “We have a really rich history of ale drinking in this country that is not part of this hardened big drinking culture the government is trying to tackle.

“Supermarkets contribute massively to the perception that there’s a big drinking problem yet pubs are being unfairly targeted.”

Jim Fitzpatrick, Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse, said: “A lot of pubs have closed in the last 20 years in the East End.

“It’s not pubs - the big problem is supermarkets and off-licences selling cheap booze.

London Pubs Directory

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Wetherspoon Beer Festival

More than 50 cask beers from across the globe will be on sale at Wetherspoons pubs during a 19-day beer festival, Reports the Publican.

The celebration runs from March 23 until April 10 and features beers from Jamaica, Sweden, USA, Netherlands, Australia as well as favourites from the UK.

There will also be speciality brews featuring ingredients such as fruit, liquorice, honey and ginger.

Wetherspoon’s operations director Martin Goeghegan, said: “The festival will give our customers the opportunity to enjoy a superb selection of UK and international beers.

“We will be serving a real ale from Jamaica for the first time, brewed by a female brewer.

“Many of the beers on offer have not previously been available in the pubs.”

Customers will be able to sample any three of the real ales in special third-of-a-pint glasses for the price of a pint.

UK Pubs Directory

Monday, March 14, 2011

Government Alcohol Responsibility Deal Rejected

Six leading health groups have dealt the government a blow by refusing to sign up to its new "responsibility deal" on alcohol in England.

The deal covers voluntary agreements with the drinks industry on issues such as promotions and labelling, aimed at tackling alcohol abuse.

Shadow health secretary John Healey said the rejection of Government measures was a "damning criticism" of the government's policy.But Health Secretary Andrew Lansley rejected the criticism, saying progress was being made and tough action was being taken where necessary.

He pointed to the recent announcements about plans for a new tax on super-strength beers and a ban on below-cost alcohol, whereby drinks are so heavily discounted they are sold for less than the tax paid on them.

However, he added: "We have made clear from the start that the responsibility deal is just one strand of the government's public health policy. It explicitly excludes cost and price competition to avoid conflicts of interest."

The full list of organisations which are refusing to sign up is: Alcohol Concern, the British Association for the Study of the Liver, the British Liver Trust, the British Medical Association, the Institute of Alcohol Studies and the Royal College of Physicians.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

J.D. Wetherspoon; UK Cash Strapped Drinkers

The Wall Street Journal reports that U.K. pub group J.D. Wetherspoon PLC said consumers are facing a "bear hug" on discretionary spending power as unsustainable government tax increases and little-to-no growth in income levels combine to hit cash-strapped drinkers.

"The squeeze feels more like a bear hug at the moment. [We have seen] persistent high levels of tax increases for pubs over a number of years. [There is] a pernicious combination of increasing taxes and regulation," Chairman Tim Martin said, speaking in an interview with Dow Jones Newswires.

"We have had inflationary excise duty in March last year, the value-added-tax increase in January and another excise duty increase due [this month]. The level of tax levied at the moment and persistent increases are not sustainable," Martin added. He previously said the U.K.'s coalition government should instead encourage consumers to visit pubs and bars by decreasing the rate of VAT to a level seen in other European countries.

The industry, savaged for three years by the economic downturn and lacerated by cutthroat promotional competition by supermarkets, is concerned that rising material input costs and government austerity measures to rein in borrowing, including public spending cuts and tax hikes, will hit spending.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Pub Chains Report Rise in February Sales

Pub and restaurant groups reported a rise in like-for-like sales in February against a strong comparative period in 2010, helped by a month of fair weather and families eating out during half term, reports the Morning Advertiser.

The latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker, which monitors the performance of 19 major pub and restaurant groups including Mitchells & Butlers, Whitbread and Gondola, found like-for-like sales increased by 3.9% in February.

The rise in February like-for-likes come against a 1.3% increase during the same period in 2010.

Total sales, including new openings, were up 5.1% on 2010, and up 9.3% on January levels.

The rise in out-of-home food and drink sales compares to the 0.4% fall in sales experienced by the retail sector during February.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Brighton Property for Sale, BN1











East Sussex Property for Sale, Brighton

New England Quarter
Providence Place
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1

NIA: 11227 sq/ft*

£ 650,000
Freehold

Providence Place is a quiet side street close to the very busy London Road retail area sandwich between the "North Lanes" & "The New England Quarter"

The development can be found on Providence Place with its junction at Anne Street is
also surrounded by a number of residential properties and enjoys easy access to Brighton Station (British Rail) and Sainsburys Supermarket.

Planning permission has been granted to demolish the existing group of run down B1/A1 units and replace with a single, sub-divisible commercial space (A1/A3/B1) at ground floor with 3 storeys of residential providing 9 luxury apartments.

Of the 9 flats, 6 are duplexes.

Ground floor A1/A3/B1 of circa 290 sq.m

1 x terraced duplex 98 sq.m
4 x terraced duplexes 93 sq.m each
2 x 1 bed apartments of 48 sq.m & 56 sq.m
1 x 2 bed apartment 67 sq.m
1 x 2 duplex 112 sq.m

Brighton Property with Planning for Sale

Royal Wedding 1am Closing For Pubs, Restaurants and Village Halls

Pubs and restaurants are just one step away from getting the automatic right to open later during the royal wedding after MPs approved the plan.

MPs voted in favour of the proposal yesterday, meaning the green light will be given if the move also gets the backing from peers when they vote on 29 March.

The Parliamentary order would give pubs, restaurants and village halls the automatic right to open until 1am on Saturday 30 April — following the wedding on the Friday — and 1am on Sunday 1 May.

The rights would extend to hosting live music and other “regulated entertainment”, as well as hot food and drink for consumption on-site after 11pm.

Supermarkets wouldn’t benefit because the order relates to the on-trade only.
The Government said the move will mean pubs avoid the burden and expense of applying for a temporary events notice, which costs £21.

The move follows a two-week public consultation.

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

St Patricks Day Celebrations in UK Pubs

The Mayor’s St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in association with Lebara Mobile will take place on Sunday 13 March 2011.

Set to be one of London's liveliest celebrations of the year, over 100,000 people attended last year's event.

The parade, featuring a colourful array of floats, marching bands and groups representing the Irish Counties, will proceed through central London from Green Park to Trafalgar Square starting at 12 noon.

Trafalgar Square will host the festival programme of live Irish music and dance on the main performance stage, showcasing the best of Irish music and dance from traditional to contemporary.

This fantastic, free family day out is a great way to experience all things Irish from food and dance to crafts, culture, music and much more.

Yorkshire Microbrewery Takes on Punch Tenancy

Leading pub company Punch Partnerships has just completed a lease agreement with a Leeds microbrewery on a free-of-tie basis for all cask ales, demonstrating their commitment to offer flexibility and choice to help entrepreneurial Partners achieve their business aspirations.

In its first pub venture, The WharfeBank Brewery, has taken on a lease with Punch at The Fleece in Otley, with a vision to restore one of Yorkshire’s oldest pubs, putting it on the map as one of the region’s finest real ale houses.

Punch Partnerships’ managing director, Roger Whiteside said: “This is a great example of how we are working with our Partners to offer them scope and flexibility to develop businesses with strong potential. Cask Ale is a huge area of focus for us and its important that our cask focused Partners can exploit all avenues to build successful businesses.

Monday, March 07, 2011

Punch Licensees to get Access to Local Beers

The Publican reports that Punch licensees are being promised greater access to local beers after a company link-up with the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

Pubs that are Cask Marque accredited and already selling 50 brewer’s barrels a year will be able to order beers, brewed within a 30-mile radius, through SIBA’s Direct Delivery Scheme, Punch said.

The pubco has been trialling DDS with around 80 pubs in the North East over the last year.

Andy Slee, Punch’s buying club director, said: “The aim was to look at how local ales can further grow the sales in these pubs and the learning is clear – the best return for all is when a licensee is supplementing their existing thriving cask business with ales sourced through SIBA.”

He added: “The ‘buy one, get one free of tie’ aspect of our new lease agreement and this latest initiative with SIBA reinforce our commitment to be the best value and most trusted pub partnership business in the UK.”

Punch said it also working with licensees to organise beer festivals, with more than 100 planned for next month and a target of 650 for the year.

Sunderland Pub Praised for Turning off Home Matches

Niall Quinn has called for Sunderland fans to give up watching their team in pubs and clubs and to actually attend matches. He has received support from one of the citys largerst pub owners.

Tony Griffiths, MD of Wylam Leisure Limited says that although it may harm him financially, he will not screen home matches in his pubs.

This controversial move may have a large effect on Sunderland due to the fact that the Wylam leisure group on seven pubs in Sunderland.

Niall Quinn has praised Griffiths for his support.

Sunday, March 06, 2011

Saturday, March 05, 2011

Change of Use News: Change of use applications 'are on the increase'

Planning applications concerning change of use are on the rise, according to research from a law firm.

EMW's figures show the number of change of business use submissions increased by nine per cent to 6,200 in the second quarter of 2010 and grew ten per cent to 6,800 in the following three months, Building.co.uk reported.

"The jump in planning applications for change of use shows that landlords and developers are now willing to take action and commit resources to try and get into the segment of the property market where there is the most demand locally," explained Giles Ferin, planning specialist at the commercial law firm.

Owners of commercial property in London and other parts of the UK could run into difficulties when local authorities want to "preserve the mix of different uses", as it means they are sitting on vacant property because there is no demand for that type of building, he added.

The research comes as Nottingham City Council announced landlords in the city will have to obtain planning permission if they want to open their rental property up into a shared house for up to six unrelated people.

Change of Use News

Friday, March 04, 2011

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Pub Chain Gone into Administration

A Northern Ireland pub chain has gone into administration just months after a sister property company was placed into receivership.

Castle Street Inns Ltd owned around six bars including the Brook Lodge Bar, Becketts and the Blackstaff as well as the Tony Romas restaurant franchise in the south of the city.

All businesses are still trading.Many pubs and restaurants have been struggling to keep afloat since the financial downturn.

Colin Neil, chief executive of Pubs of Ulster has warned that Northern Ireland will lose between 100 and 150 pubs this year.

Read more: Belfast Telegraph

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Swanscombe Pub for Sale, Kent













Freehold pub for Sale Swanscombe, Kent

George & Dragon
London Road
Swanscombe
Kent
DA10

Gross Site Area: 5497 sq/ft*

£ 250,000 + VAT Freehold
Public house/development land for sale with full vacant possession. Unconditional offers are invited for our clients unencumbered interest.

Approx ground floor foot plate: 1,648 sq ft*

Pub for Sale in Swanscombe, Kent

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Call for Pub to Change Racist Name

A pub has just re-opened its doors to the public but only after being accused of having a racist name by a neighbour.

Lucy and Mark Barron-Reid were shocked to pick up a telephone message from a disgruntled local complaining that the name they had picked for their Kent pub – the Black Pig – was a racial slur.

The complainer even raised the matter with the local council.

Lucy said: “We got the message on the phone and we just thought it was ridiculous. It never even occurred to us that people could think it was racist.

“Obviously we intend to keep the name. We had to change it from the previous one – the Kent Cricketer – because its reputation had suffered and it needed a new image.

“Obviously the name isn’t racist, it was just picked because we saw a pub with the same name years ago and Mark really liked it.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Beer Industry Calls for 'Rebalanced' Duty System

Scrapping the proposed duty increase on beer would save more than 10,000 jobs in the coming year, it has been claimed.

The British Beer & Pub Association has condemned the “destructive” beer tax policy introduced by Labour and urged the coalition to “rebalance” the duty system to favour on-trade consumption of beer, and to penalise higher-strength products like spirits.

“If the Government scraps plans, put in place by the previous administration, to further increase beer duty above inflation this could save over 10,000 jobs in 2011/12 alone,” the BBPA said in its Budget submission.

“The latest Oxford Economics research for the BBPA also shows a freeze in beer duty could generate up to £40 million in additional tax revenue, boosting beer sales and employment in pubs whilst stemming the 29 pub closures per week.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Birmingham Pub for Sale











West Midlands Pubs for Sale, Birmingham

B3
The Priory Queensway
Birmingham
West Midlands
B4

Ground floor footplate: 1520 sq/ft*

£ 250,000 + VAT

Leasehold Pub for Sale, Central Birmingham

Sunday, February 20, 2011

South London Pub for Sale












South London Pub for Sale

Barnaby
Ilderton Road
London
Greater London
SE15

Net Saleable: 6555 sq/ft*

£ 600,000 + VAT

Freehold public house for sale with full planning consent in place for the demolition of the existing building and redevelopment of site to provide a four storey block of 9 contemporary residential units totalling 6,275 sq.ft. net saleable.

1x3-bed @ 120 sq.m
2x2-beds @ 65 sq.m.
3x2-beds @ 66 sq.m.
3x1-beds @ 45 sq.m

The site is situated within short walking distance of the retail amenities and public transport connections at New Cross Gate and other local facilities.

Barnaby Pub for Sale Greater London

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Guide for Pubs for British Tourism Week

The British Beer & Pub Association has produced a guide for pubs and brewers, encouraging them to get involved in British Tourism Week 2011, which runs from 12th to 20th March. The week presents an opportunity to showcase the central role that pubs play in Britain’s tourism and hospitality sector – and make sure this message gets home where it counts.

Pubs can get involved through activities such as quizzes, special meals and events – and by shaping the debate on British Tourism Week’s ‘constituency day’ by inviting their local MP to come and visit the pub on Friday 18th March, and pull a pint to mark the occasion – reminding them just how Britain’s tourism industry depends on pubs.

Brewers can also get involved in British Tourism Week. With British beers a cultural icon, the use of our unique beer and brewing heritage as a magnet for visitors has become increasingly important.

This year’s events include a special celebration of coastal piers, so pubs and breweries that are nearby will have an even greater opportunity to benefit from the activities surrounding these iconic parts of our tourism heritage.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Change of Use News: Pub to be redeveloped into supermarket

An award-winning pub will be subject to a change of use if plans for a new supermarket go ahead.

The Wimborne-based Royal Oak in Dorset is located on land that has been assigned for redevelopment in a bid to regenerate the area, the BBC reported.

Hill Richmond, the landowner, told the news provider: "The area has been earmarked by Bournemouth council for a supermarket and convenience shops, with an additional 150 car parking spaces."

Martin Burke, director of the company, said: "We are sorry that the pub land is needed to carry out the essential highways improvements for this redevelopment, but we hope that our scheme will help regenerate the Kinson area for the benefit of local people, who will not have to travel further afield for their weekly shop."

The Royal Oak has been named winter pub of the season by the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale and is nominated for the Pub of the Year Award.

Change of Use News

Monday, February 14, 2011

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Change of Use News: Pub to be redeveloped into supermarket

An award-winning pub will be subject to a change of use if plans for a new supermarket go ahead.

The Wimborne-based Royal Oak in Dorset is located on land that has been assigned for redevelopment in a bid to regenerate the area, the BBC reported.

Hill Richmond, the landowner, told the news provider: "The area has been earmarked by Bournemouth council for a supermarket and convenience shops, with an additional 150 car parking spaces."

Martin Burke, director of the company, said: "We are sorry that the pub land is needed to carry out the essential highways improvements for this redevelopment, but we hope that our scheme will help regenerate the Kinson area for the benefit of local people, who will not have to travel further afield for their weekly shop."

The Royal Oak has been named winter pub of the season by the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale and is nominated for the Pub of the Year Award.

Change of Use News

Sunday, February 06, 2011

TV Pubs and Clubs Loophole Angers Premier League

The Premier League has criticised legal advice which could allow pubs and clubs to screen its matches at any time, reports the BBC.

The European Union's advocate general has said that a Portsmouth publican was entitled to show top-flight games decoded from a Greek satellite signal.

But the Premier League said such a policy would "damage the interests of broadcasters and viewers of Premier League football across the EU".

Sky Sports and ESPN hold the rights to live Premier League matches in the UK.

That means pubs, clubs and other public venues wishing to screen games have to pay a monthly subscription.

Saturday, February 05, 2011

Rhosllanerchrugog Pub for Sale, Wrexham









Wrecsam Pub for Sale

Sun Inn
Hall Street
Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham
Wrecsam
LL14

Gross Site Area: 22542 sq/ft*

£ 175,000 + VAT

Public house/development land for sale with full vacant possession. Unconditional offers are invited for our clients unencumbered interest.

Approx ground floor foot plate is 1,471sq ft*.

The property represents excellent value for continued licensed use / owner occupation. There is also enormous potential for redevelopment (residential / commercial / mixed use) subject to gaining the appropriate Local Authority consents.

Sun Inn Freehold Public House for Sale Wrexham Wales

Friday, February 04, 2011

Australian Pubs Use Biometrics to Curb Violence

Pubs and clubs in Australia are signing up in droves to national and state biometrics databases that capture patron fingerprints, photos, and scanned driver licenses in efforts to curb violence.

The databases of captured patron information mean that individuals banned at one location could be refused entry across a string of venues. Particularly violent individuals could be banned for years.

The databases are virtually free from government regulation as biometrics are not covered by privacy laws, meaning that the handling of details are left to the discretion of technology vendors.

"You don't get on the ban list because you didn't want to go home," said Peter Perrett, chief executive of database company ID-Tect. "You get on there because you are a safety risk."

Thursday, February 03, 2011

Scottish Rural Pubs Fight Back

Owners of rural pubs and hotels in the Donside area are calling for the Scottish government to do more to help their businesses.

Local pubs say they have been hit hard by the low prices of alcohol on offer from supermarkets and this has forced some out of business.

Paul MacLennan, the owner of the Colquhonnie House Hotel in Strathdon, spoke to the Piper about why all rural pubs should feel under threat.

He said: “Living in the rural community is a important way of life for many people but rural pubs are disappearing.

“Pubs pay around 9% of their gross profit on alcohol sales in Business rates compared to Tesco who only pay 2% on their total alcohol sales. How can this be right?

“Only last week I visited my local cash and carry and it is a bad sign when you are told that you can get the majority of the items cheaper in the supermarket.

“Pubs and hotels need to find a unique selling point, but even this does not guarantee success these days.”

Mr Maclennan, who is also the chairman of the Aberdeenshire Central Licensing Forum has called on the Scottish government to act quickly.

“Does the Scottish Government really think that rural communities can keep absorbing these cuts to their way of life?

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

UK Pubs For Sale: Freehold Pubs For Sale: Greg Mullholland Tweets This Morning

UK Pubs For Sale: Freehold Pubs For Sale: Greg Mullholland Tweets This Morning: "Greg Mullholland Tweets 'Debate on minimum pricing of alcohol this morning. I support a ban on supermarkets selling below cost but oppose an..."

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Gwent Pub for Sale Reduced to £110,000









Welsh Pub for Sale at Reduced Price

Ruperra Arms
Ruperra Street
New Tredegar
Gwent
NP24 6AG

Gross Site Area: 7699 sq/ft*

£ 110,000 + VAT Freehold

Ruperra Arms Pub for Sale, Gwent

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

London Pub Conversions Letting








Flat for Rent Dyne Road, London, NW6

This very attractive two double bedroom flat on the ground floor of a Victorian conversion, has just become available. Situated moments from the very busy Kilburn High Road and the amenities and transport links offered there, the property offers a fitted kitchen with,modern appliances and a fully tiled three piece bathroom along with a good sized reception and two double bedrooms. Available early February, part furnished

NW6 Flat for Rent

Monday, January 24, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

42% Spending Less at the Pub

A new study has found 42% of drinkers are spending less in pubs than six months ago, reports the Morning Advertiser.

Corporate advisory firm Zolfo Cooper’s bi-annual Leisure Wallet report, which combines analysis of the spending habits of more than 3,000 consumers carried out in November, found signifcant falls in leisure spend across vitually all sectors.

The only sector to witness a net increase in spend, albeit 1%, was gyms. Elsewhere the declines are in many cases steep, with 42% of drinkers spending less in pubs and bars than six months ago. Within the restaurant sector 41% of diners are spending less than before, as are 45% of clubbers.

The frequency with which people visit leisure venues is also in sharp decline with 43% eating outside the home less often, and 48% drinking outside the home less often.

Almost two-thirds of clubbers, 61%, are going less often than they were just six months ago, confirming the late night sector’s travails highlighted by industry leader Luminar’s recent financial results. Even among the key 18-24 year-olds, among whom clubbing is more widespread, some 55% say they are clubbing less often, with entry costs cited as a major deterrent.

Around a quarter (24%) of those aged 18 to 24 years old said they had increased their in-home leisure spend in the past six months, while the over 55s was the only age range where the amount of people saying their out of home leisure spend hadn’t been affected outstripped those that said it had.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Pubcos Restrictive Covenants Review Welcomed

Pub campaigners have backed a Government review into a controversial restrictions used by Breweries which prevents sold-off pubs re-opening.

Pubs Minister Bob Neill has ordered a public consultation into restrictive covenants after saying the practice deprived communities of ‘important places to get together’.

Restrictive covenants are used by the seller of a pub to prevent the buyer from continuing to run the premises as a pub. This practice is used to restrict competition in local areas and deprives our communities of their pubs. Between 2004 and 2009 almost 600 pubs were sold with restrictive covenants.

This is a great step forward in this campaign which CAMRA has been fighting for 30 years, and a great success for localism. The move shows that Government recognises that pubs are vital community assets that need to be protected.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Greater London Pub for Sale N19


















London Leasehold Pub for Sale

New Brunswick
Dartmouth Park Hill
London
Greater London
N19

Ground floor footplate: 5210 sq/ft*

£ 190,000 + VAT

New Brunswick Pub for Sale London N19

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

JD Wetherspoons Reports Sales Growth Despite Weather

Watford-based pub chain JD Wetherspoon plans to open about 50 pubs in this financial year, it said this morning in a trading update. Wetherspoon, the first major pub company to report on Christmas and New Year trading, said heavy snow across the country had impacted sales but the effect on its comparative performance had been minimal because it was offset by similarly bad weather hitting sales in January last year.

Like for like sales for the 12 weeks to 16 January rose 3%, up from 1.6% in the first quarter and much better than the flat performance predicted by some analysts. That means like for like sales are up 2.3% so far this financial year.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Salford Pub for Sale, Greater Manchester

















Greater Manchester Pub for Sale

Carlton Tavern
Camp Street
Salford
Greater Manchester
M7

Ground floor footplate: 1748 sq/ft*

£ 80,000 + VAT
Freehold

Carlton Tavern Pub for Sale, Salford

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Royal Wedding Licensing Hours Relaxed

The BBC has reported that pubs in England and Wales will be allowed to stay open longer for the royal wedding, ministers are expected to announce.

Landlords will be able to extend their opening hours up to 0100 BST across two nights without needing permission from local licensing authorities.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are due to get married at Westminster Abbey on Friday 29 April.

Their marriage will be marked with a public holiday across the UK.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: "This is great news, and it is really good to see the government recognising that this is a brilliant opportunity for us all to get together in the pub, to celebrate a great national event.

"With state-of-the art TV, great food and hospitality, pubs will be right at the heart of the royal wedding celebrations, and are the perfect place to enjoy the day."

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Pub Rental Valuation Guide Published by RICs

Prospective landlords thinking of renting a pub may be interested to hear that the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published guidance on rental valuations.

Drafted by a number of industry experts, the guidance comes as a response to MPs on the Business, Innovations and Skills Committee calling for a clarification of rent assessment processes.

While the advice is not legally binding, RICS suggests that if surveyors are sued for negligence, courts may take note if the defendant did not follow the guidance.
"In the opinion of RICS, members conforming to the practices recommended in this guidance note should have at least a partial defence to an allegation of negligence by virtue of having followed those practices," the organisation said.

"However, members have the responsibility of deciding when it is inappropriate to follow the guidance. If it is followed in an inappropriate case, the member will not be exonerated merely because the recommendations were found in an RICS guidance note."

Licensed property news

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Friday, January 07, 2011

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

UK Pub Jobs Hit By VAT Increase

The VAT increase which came into force today will lead to the typical cost of a pint of beer in a pub breaking through the £3 barrier for the first time, said The British Beer & Pub Association

The increase in VAT to 20 per cent would add a further 6p to the cost of a pint of beer, on top of the 26 per cent rise in beer tax seen during the past two years.

It warned that the "double whammy" of the increase to duty and VAT was placing "shackles" on the pub and hospitality sector, and it urged the Government to abandon plans for further beer tax increases.

The warning comes as nervous retailers promise to absorb or delay today's 2.5 per cent VAT hike but admit they can only defer higher prices for so long.

The BBPA said the tax increase would hit pubs, in which beer is the key seller, more than other retailers, as many are small, family-run businesses, which are less able to absorb the cost than big supermarkets.

Research carried out for the group by Oxford Economics suggests that the VAT increase will lead to the loss of around 8,800 jobs related to the sale of beer.

Monday, January 03, 2011

Pub Closures Loophole up for Review

The unpopular legal clause which allows large pub companies to restrict the uses of pubs after their closure will be reviewed, ministers have announced.'Restrictive covenants' are argued to damage competition and prevent communities saving their local pub.

Pubs minister Bob Neill announced there would be a public consultation on the issue next year, with the possibility of scrapping the clause entirely.He said: "The pubs and clubs in our community can be the heart and soul of a town, village or street and many of us will be heading off to our local this evening to celebrate the new year.

"For too long now communities have felt shut out when rules prevent a building being used again as a public house or community club. I want to stop that and put local people in charge.

"By reviewing the use of this restrictive piece of red tape it is another boost for localism and means that communities could use their collective powers to keep important hubs of community life open."The government agreed to the consultation after three local authorities called for a review of restrictive covenants.Under the localism bill announced earlier this month, local community groups will be able to bid for the running of under-threat pubs under a 'right to buy' scheme.

Assets deemed 'vital' to the community will be submitted to councils, who will then place them on a list of sites with a moratorium on closures to allow communities to develop a bid.The news of the review will make such local bids more likely to succeed and was greeted warmly by pressure groups unhappy with the current loopholes - which they say favour larger companies.

Mike Benner, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale, said it was a "victory for people power"."Restrictive covenants are used by pub companies to deprive local communities of their pubs, at a time when 29 pubs are closing every week," he added.

"This announcement that the government will consult on the use of restrictive covenants is a great success for localism, and shows that government recognises that pubs are vital community assets that need to be protected."For the new community right to buy scheme announced in this week's Localism Bill to work, pubs need to be available for communities to keep open."

Pub closures loophole up for review - politics.co.uk

Sunday, January 02, 2011

Stapleford Pub for Sale, Nottinghamshire















Freehold Pub for Sale Nottingham

New Kent
Derby Road
Stapleford, Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG9

Gross Site Area: 27300 sq/ft*

£ 550,000 + VAT
Freehold

Vacant freehold public house and 3 bedroom detached cottage for sale with full vacant possession.

The public house has a ground floor area of circa 4,000 sqft and sits on approximately 27,000 sqft. The cottage has a gross internal area of approximately 1200 sqft.

Unconditional offers are invited for our clients unencumbered interest.

The property represents excellent value for continued licensed use / owner occupation. There is also enormous potential for redevelopment (residential / commercial / mixed use) subject to gaining the appropriate Local Authority consents.

The existing use class of the property is A4 'Drinking Establishments'. Planning consent is not required to change the current use to A1 (shops), A2 (financial and professional services) or A3 (restaurants and cafes).

Nottingham Pub for Sale

Friday, December 24, 2010

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Monday, December 20, 2010

UK Pubs are Tourist Favourite

Visit Britain has found that The UK Pub is a big draw for tourists visiting the country.

In individual areas of the country, the pub was the main event.Foreign tourists were lured to the North-East last year particularly by its exuberant pub and club scene, vibrant football and spectacular coastline. A greater proportion of foreign visitors went to the pub (67%) than any other area of England.

Overseas tourists were lured to Yorkshire last year particularly by the county’s outstandingly beautiful countryside and villages. Some 55% of foreign holidaymakers who visited Yorkshire headed for rural areas, the highest proportion in Britain. Yorkshire’s nearest rival in this respect was Scotland (52%). A higher proportion sampled the local pubs (60%) than any other area of England apart from the North-East and East Midlands.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Nottingham Pubs Forced to Use Plastic Glasses

Pub landlords in Nottinghamshire have been warned they could be forced to use plastic glasses, reports the BBC. Officers in Retford and Worksop said despite glassing incidents being rare, a recent case had emphasized the damage they could do.

Now pubs not using plastics on busy nights would face a fast track review of licensing conditions which force their use full time, police said.Pubs said they had to consider cost and branding regulations.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Christmas Drinking Survival

Alcohol Concern has come up with these top tips for safer drinking for Christmas partygoers - whether you’re going out or hosting your own celebrations.

What is a unit of alcohol?
Women can drink two to three units of alcohol per day and men three to four units a day without damaging their health.

As a rough guide:
one pint of normal strength beer contains two units
one 25ml measure of spirits contains one unit of alcohol
one 175ml glass of wine (12 per cent abv) contains two units and a 250ml glass contains three units
one 330ml alcopop (4.5 per cent - 5.5 per cent abv) contains one-and-a-half units to two units
one 440ml can of strong lager (4.6 per cent - 6 per cent abv) contains three units
Home measures are often larger, so watch the size of your drinks.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Swandlicote Pub and Land for Sale Derbyshire












Derbyshire Pub for Sale

Crown Inn
Princess Street
Castle Gresley, Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11

Gross Site Area: 15306 sq/ft*

£ 195,000 + VAT
Freehold

Crown Inn Pub for Sale, Derbyshire

Monday, December 13, 2010

Hotel for Sale Conwy, Pub for sale Penmaenmawr










Pub for sale Conwy

Dwygyfyichi Hotel
Conwy Old Road
Penmaenmawr
Conwy
LL34

Ground floor footplate: 2111 sq/ft*

£ 135,000 + VAT
Freehold

Pub for sale Penmaenmawr

Stoke On Trent Pub for Sale












Staffordshire Pub for Sale

Norfolk Inn
Norfolk Street
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST1

Ground floor footplate: 1733 sq/ft*

£ 110,000 + VAT Freehold

Norfolk Inn Pub For Sale, Staffordshire

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Hartlepool Pub for Sale, Durham












Durham Pub for Sale

King Oswy
King Oswy Drive
Hartlepool
Durham
TS24

Ground floor footplate: 26034 sq/ft*

£ 225,000 + VAT
Freehold

King Oswy Pub for Sale Hartlepool

Monday, December 06, 2010

Middlebrough Hotel for Sale
















North Yorkshire Hotel for Sale Middlesbrough

Westminster Hotel
Parliament Road
Middlesbrough
North Yorkshire
TS1

Gross Site Area: 7372 sq/ft*

£ 295,000 + VAT Freehold

Westminster Hotel for Sale Middlesbrough

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Yorkshire Pub of the Year Awards Launched

























The Press Newspaper Which covers York, North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and Harrogate is calling for nomination for their their Pub of the Year competition Categories as Follows;

•Best landlord: This title will recognise the licensee most revered by their customers.

• Best community pub: The winner of this award must be a true locals’ local – somewhere that is a community hub as well as a pub.

• Best entertainment: Whether it’s live music, televised sport, quiz nights or pub games, this award will recognise the pub that keeps punters entertained.

• Best food pub: This award will go to the pub that has the best food, taking into account quality, variety and value.

• Best outdoor area: This title will reward the pub with the most appealing garden or outdoor area.

• Best real ale pub: This will be based on both selection and quality, honouring the pub that appeals to real ale fans.

• Best overall pub: This will identify the best pub in our region, based on quality of service, drink selection and quality, food, entertainment, community involvement and overall atmosphere.


Yorkshire Pubs for Sale

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Friday, December 03, 2010

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill; 24 Hour Licence Clampdown

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill is proposing a £4,500 levy on pubs and bars that wish to open after midnight. Bill also proposes giving the public more power to influence licensing decisions.With the introduction of late-night levies, there will be greater penalties for serving under-age drinkers, with fines doubling to £20,000 for persistent offenders.

Teresa May has said that the 24-hour licences have failed to produce the benefits of a "cafe culture" and tougher action is needed to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder which costs the taxpayer up to £13 billion each year.

The Home Secretary did reiterate the Government's intention to bring in the ban on low-cost sales, though there is no mention of such a measure in the bill.

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Bedford Leasehold Pub for Sale

















Leasehold Pub for Sale Bedford

Red Lion
Park Road, Stevington
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK43

Gross Site Area: 16360 sq/ft*

£ 25,000 Leasehold

Our client has recently purchased the business after the previous tenants lease expired. This represents a great opportunity to acquire an established business with a loyal following attracting customers throughout the area.

Our client will also consider creating a new free of tie lease for a term of 10 years or more with a premium of £25,000 and an annual rent of £25,000.

Ideally, The Red Lion would suit another hands on tenant to continue the good standard the previous landlord achieved.

Trading hours: 10.30am to 11.30pm 7 days a week.

Fixtures & fittings :All trade fixtures and fittings will be included in the sale and our client will also be refurbishing the pub.

Red Lion Pub for Sale Bedford

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

New Prospects London Pub Landlords

A planned sell-off of properties by Mitchell & Butlers (M&B) is set to open up a range of new opportunities for investors looking into the possibility of renting a pub in London.

Coming as the firm continues with its plans to move away from drinks-oriented establishments and concentrate its efforts on dining-centric venues, it has confirmed that it is to put 53 pubs on the market.

As well as offering the assets to their existing tenants to buy, the Independent reported that M&B will also be looking to sell them off to a range of other investors, potentially spelling good news for anyone thinking of renting a pub in London or elsewhere in the country.

Speaking to the newspaper, a source within the hospitality industry explained that a number of prime properties, including several with no obvious branding, are set to come onto the market in the coming weeks.

"These are rather large, rather nice, rather interesting pubs," the insider noted.
This comes soon after Bloomsbury Leisure Group outlined its plans to open a unique beer house in a historic property in the grounds of Euston Station to the Publican.

UK Pub Sales News

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Britain's Pubs Now Sell More Food Than Beer

For the first time ever, Britain's pubs are now selling more food than beer, the Daily Mail reports.

According to data compiled by Mintel, 72 percent of Britons visit a pub for its food menu, versus 63 percent who visit for a drink. Special menu promotions have enticed diners, which offer more adventurous food than they typically would eat. At the same time, value-priced meal deals have also resonated strongly with consumers.

Overall, pub visits and alcohol consumption has dropped significantly in Britain, as 2009 saw the biggest nationwide drop in alcohol consumption since 1948. Consequently, the number of pubs throughout Britain dropped from 59,000 to 52,000.

Helen Spicer, senior food analyst at Mintel, offered this advice: "Pub food has had to adapt and now bar snacks and menus have become more variable from value ranges to more up-market offerings. For some venues, catering has become more important than serving a pint."


According to Mintel, the consumer leisure market has changed dramatically in recent years, with an emphasis on spending time at home leading to greater competition in the dining out market.

"Add to the mix cheaper and more accessible alcohol from supermarkets, the recession, rising tax and duty and a smoking ban and the pub sector has faced what has been dubbed the perfect storm," Spicer said. "The question is not whether the pub industry emerges unscathed from the recession it's too late for that but how it will absorb punishing tax measures and emerge to compete in a leaner and more 'consumer-centric' pub environment."

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Yorkshire Pub Voted Top Gastro Pub

The Star Inn at Harome, North Yorkshire, has been named as the number one gastropub in the UK.The gastropub, run by Andrew and Jacquie Pern, took top spot in the “Old Speckled Hen” Top 50 Gastropubs 2010 awards, organised by the Morning Advertiser.

An industry poll of more than 700 food writers, celebrity and top hospitality industry chefs, pub guide editors, industry chiefs and food operators voted for The Star Inn following a rigorous judging process.

The Hand & Flowers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, was named as runner up and the Hardwick in Abergavenny, South Wales, third.

Friday, November 19, 2010

London Pubs News for London Olympics 2012

The Publican reports that London Pubs are being urged by Boris Johnson to do their bit to help tourists feel at home when the Olympic Games roll into town in 2012.

Mayor of London has already started recruiting ambassadors to greet the hundreds of thousands of visitors set to arrive in the UK for the Olympics and Paralympics.London hostelries are to be key a recruiting ground with Johnson looking for locals to help guide visitors to key attractions – and pubs.

To support the bid pubs are being encouraged to take part in a poster campaign calling on customers to get involved.

The Morning Advertiser is reporting that a leading licensing solicitor has urged the Government to relax opening times for London pubs during the 2012 Olympics.

Jeremy Allen of Popplesten Allen said that it would make sense for the Government to make the order as soon as possible.The culture secretary can make a Licensing Hours Order to relax opening hours for occasions considered to be "of exceptional international, national or local significance".