Caterer Licensee & Hotelier News

26/09/2025

Editor’s Viewpoint: A Welcome Boost or Political Sleight of Hand?

By Peter Adams, Editor, CLH News.

At long last, some potentially positive news for our beleaguered hospitality sector.
The Government's announcement of its £5bn Pride in Place Strategy couldn't come at a more critical time for an industry that's been battling headwinds since the Chancellor's disastrous 2024 budget.

The headline figures are certainly impressive: 169 areas receiving £2million annually for a full decade, with an additional 95 locations getting an immediate £1.5million injection to upgrade public spaces.

More significantly for our readers, the new Community Right to Buy scheme could prove to be a genuine lifeline for struggling establishments.

The initiative will hand "local people the power to buy beloved assets, helping them turn around derelict pubs" - words that will resonate deeply with anyone who has watched too many community hubs close their doors forever.

Make no mistake, our sector desperately needs this "shot in the arm." The industry has been reeling since last year's budget bombshell, and with ominous rumblings about what 2025's budget might bring, any support is welcome.

But here's where my editorial cynicism kicks in - is this announcement simply a pre-party conference crowd-pleaser? A case of giving with one hand while preparing to take with the other?

Time will tell, but I remain cautiously optimistic that community ownership could breathe new life into derelict establishments that once formed the beating heart of our neighbourhoods.

While the Government's £5bn Pride in Place Strategy aims to empower communities to save struggling pubs, industry leaders warn that without urgent tax reform, closures will continue - a sobering reminder that funding alone won't solve the sector's deep-rooted challenges.

There are encouraging signs of common sense prevailing on another front that threatens our industry.

The growing opposition to tourist levies across Scotland offers hope that pragmatism might yet triumph over political posturing.

Hospitality and small business leaders are urging local authorities to review their plans to implement a visitor levy amid uncertainty over the legislative process and the economic impact on their area. This pressure appears to be having an effect.

Orkney councillors have wisely decided against introducing an overnight visitor levy, while Argyll and Bute Council has become the fifth local authority to pause their plans after public consultation revealed a lack of support due to economic concerns.

In my “humble opinion” on this issue: a tax is a tax is a tax!

The idea of slapping yet another burden on hard-pressed families wanting to spend their hard-earned money on leisure activities is fundamentally wrong.

These levies don't just impact visitors - they create administrative nightmares for operators, deter bookings, and ultimately harm the very communities they claim to help.

While I welcome the Pride in Place funding, we must remain vigilant. Our industry needs sustained support, not headline-grabbing announcements followed by policy reversals. The real test will come in the upcoming budget - will the Government follow through on supporting hospitality, or will we see more punitive measures that make these community initiatives redundant?

As we all know, the hospitality sector employs hundreds of thousands across the UK and forms the social fabric of our communities. These establishments deserve better than unitive taxation “disguised as progressive policy”.

I would encourage all our readers to follow us on X/Twitter and visit our website at www.catererlicensee.com to sign up for our twice weekly e-newsletter.

I can always be contacted at [email protected]

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By Peter Adams, Editor, CLH News. At long last, some potentially positive news for our beleaguered hospitality sector. The Government's announcement of its £5bn Pride in Place Strategy couldn't come at a more critical time for an industry that's been battling headwinds since the Chancellor's disast...

26/09/2025

Editor’s Viewpoint: The Warning Signs Were There All Along

By Peter Adams, Editor, CLH News.

The news that 111,000 hospitality jobs will be lost by November's Budget should come as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention.

At the risk of sounding like a "stuck record," this is a warning we and many other observers, spokespeople, and operators have been sounding for the past 13 months.

The tone deafness is truly astonishing. Like you, I watch government officials talking up the economy and how well we're supposedly doing, and I find myself wondering: am I living in a parallel universe?

The harsh reality is staring us in the face. The sector has lost 8,500 jobs each month since last October – that's almost 300 jobs EACH DAY.

These aren't just statistics on a spreadsheet; they're real people, real livelihoods, and real communities being devastated.

What's particularly galling is that this crisis isn't happening in isolation. As the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has reiterated, the government simply cannot place further burdens on businesses when Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers her Budget next month.

Jane Gratton, deputy director of public policy at the BCC, put it succinctly: "The ongoing impact of business cost pressures, most notably from the national insurance hike, continues to hit the labour market."

She's absolutely right when she adds: "Firms can't absorb further cost pressures. That's why we are clear, there must be no more taxes on business in November's Budget."

So it's not just "sour grapes" from our sector then.

Everyone is saying it – from trade bodies to chambers of commerce, from operators to economists. The warning bells are ringing from every corner of British business.

The hospitality sector has always enjoyed a reputation for resilience, for bouncing back from adversity.
We've weathered recessions, pandemics, and countless challenges over the decades. But there is a point of no return, and we're dangerously close to it.

I sincerely hope the Chancellor heeds these warnings. The choice is stark: either provide genuine support to a sector that employs over 2 million people and serves as the backbone of British social life, or watch as pubs, restaurants, and venues continue to disappear from our high streets and communities at an alarming rate.

On a brighter note, the next 10 days mark Cask Ale Week, and I'm pleased to say that approximately 10,000 pubs and breweries across Britain are participating in this year's celebration, which runs until 28 September.

It's Friday as I write this, and I'm off tonight to celebrate at the Goat & Tricycle here in Bournemouth – fantastic for real ales! This presents significant opportunities for licensees to drive footfall and showcase traditional cask-conditioned ales.

Please do share your photos and comments with us – let's celebrate what makes British hospitality truly special, while we still can.

The sector deserves better than the current trajectory. The question is: will anyone in Westminster be listening?

I would encourage all our readers to follow us on X/Twitter and visit our website at www.catererlicensee.com to sign up for our twice weekly e-newsletter.

I can always be contacted at [email protected]



Read More:

By Peter Adams, Editor, CLH News. The news that 111,000 hospitality jobs will be lost by November's Budget should come as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention. At the risk of sounding like a "stuck record," this is a warning we and many other observers, spokespeople, and operators hav...

26/09/2025

Flags, Alcohol, And The Law: Navigating Operator Duties In Politically Charged Situations

By Julie Gowland, Partner and Head of Licensing at Birketts LLP (www.birketts.co.uk/people/julie-gowland/)

The recent controversy surrounding the Manor Farm pub in Birmingham, where a group of individuals draped in England flags were refused entry, has sparked national debate. But beyond the headlines and social media outrage lies a deeper issue that those within the alcohol licensing industry must consider: the legal and ethical responsibilities of operators under the Licensing Act 2003.

The incident: a licensing perspective

According to reports, the group refused entry had been part of a 200-strong protest against asylum seekers housed at a nearby hotel. Many were intoxicated and confrontational, prompting the pub’s management to deny entry in the interest of safety and public order.

While some critics framed the refusal as unpatriotic or discriminatory, the decision aligns with the core licensing objectives enshrined in the Licensing Act 2003:

1. Prevention of crime and disorder
2. Public safety
3. Prevention of public nuisance
4. Protection of children from harm

These objectives are the foundation of every licensing decision and operational policy.

Operators and the law: duties under the Licensing Act

Operators of licensed premises are legally bound to uphold these objectives. This includes refusing entry to individuals who are intoxicated, aggressive, or likely to disrupt the peace. Section 141 of the Licensing Act makes it an offence to knowingly sell alcohol to a person who is drunk.

Moreover, the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), a mandatory role for any premises selling alcohol, must ensure that alcohol is sold responsibly and that staff are trained to identify and manage risks associated with intoxication and disorder.

Greene King, the pub’s parent company, stated that the refused entry was not politically motivated but rather based on concerns over safety and association with protest activity. The manager asked patrons to leave flags at the door to avoid escalating tensions, a decision that aligns with the operator’s duty to prevent disorder and protect staff.

In addition to statutory duties, operators also have a common law right to refuse entry to individuals provided that the refusal is not discriminatory based on the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. Licensed premises are private property, not public spaces, and there is no automatic right of entry for members of the public. This discretion is crucial in managing risk and maintaining order.

In this case, the Manor Farm team acted within their rights and responsibilities. Their refusal was not about the flag itself, but the behaviour and context surrounding its display.

The importance of context and discretion

The Licensing Act does not provide a precise definition of “drunk”, nor does it prescribe a one-size-fits-all approach to managing public order. Operators must use discretion, informed by training and experience, to assess risk. This includes evaluating whether a group’s presence could escalate tensions or compromise the safety of other patrons.

The statutory guidance under Section 182 of the Act reinforces this, stating that licence conditions must be tailored to the individual premises and that operators cannot be held responsible for customer behaviour once they leave the premises.

A call for industry support and clarity

The statutory guidance under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 emphasises that licensing decisions must be proportionate and tailored to the premises. Operators are encouraged to document incidents and decisions to demonstrate compliance with licensing objectives and avoid liability in appeals or judicial reviews.

The Manor Farm incident highlights the need for clarity for operators navigating complex social dynamics, in particular:

1. Clearer guidance on managing politically charged situations
2. Enhanced training on identifying and responding to public order risks
3. Legal protections for staff facing abuse while enforcing licensing conditions
4. Operators are not arbiters of patriotism – they are custodians of public safety. Their decisions must be respected when made in good faith and in line with the law.

Practical tips for operators:

• Train staff to recognise signs of intoxication and disorder.
• Keep incident logs to justify refusals including time, behaviour observed, staff actions and retain any CCTV footage.
• Apply dress codes and search policies consistently.
• Avoid refusals based on political symbols unless linked to behaviour.
• Consult your premises licence for specific conditions.

Standing firm on licensing principles

Political tensions increasingly spill into public spaces and operators must be equipped not only with legal knowledge but also with the confidence to act decisively and fairly. Industry bodies and licensing authorities are increasingly working…

By Julie Gowland, Partner and Head of Licensing at Birketts LLP (www.birketts.co.uk/people/julie-gowland/) The recent controversy surrounding the Manor Farm pub in Birmingham, where a group of individuals draped in England flags were refused entry, has sparked national debate. But beyond the headlin...

26/09/2025

Shepherd Neame’s White Horse And Bower Re-Opens Following £950K Transformation

The White Horse and Bower may have originally opened as a pub back in 1816, but its new General Manager, Aura Bodian, believes she has a stunning pub that’s as good as new – and more!

Even better, locals are queuing to get back inside the door, following its £950,000 stunning refurbishment by owners Shepherd Neame.

Just minutes from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, the pub reopened earlier this month with experienced General Manager Aura at the reins following a three-month transformation.

“I read about this pub and it ticked every single box I had,” she said. “I think it is the most beautiful pub I have ever seen. It has been refurbished with such care and attention to detail.

“Other work was undertaken on the building before we began the project, so the pub was actually closed for two years, but the locals were still there, just waiting for it to reopen. I have a new pub, decorated from scratch, but also with a clientele waiting for it to come back. How lucky am I?”

Aura has been working in central London pubs for just over 10 years, starting at another Shepherd Neame site, The Cheshire Cheese, before spending 10 years working with Young’s, but was looking for a pub company which had a personal touch.

“I was looking for a company that wasn’t too big, where you really feel part of a team, working to achieve success together. And I found it in Shepherd Neame – the support system is amazing, I’ve never known support like it.”

She added: “Hospitality is all about people. This is the one job where you can change a person’s life. You can make an impact on people’s lives and turn a bad day into a good day.”

The pub’s restoration has seen its rich heritage blended with a bold, modern vision. Central to this has been a bespoke reclaimed oak bar, repositioned to ensure a open, welcoming atmosphere.

The new team have been training hard for the reopening. “They are super engaged,” said Aura. “They want it to do well so badly – I’m so lucky. I have really enjoyed training them and we are already getting great feedback from customers.”

Read More:

The White Horse and Bower may have originally opened as a pub back in 1816, but its new General Manager, Aura Bodian, believes she has a stunning pub that’s as good as new – and more! Even better, locals are queuing to get back inside the door, following its £950,000 stunning refurbishment by o...

26/09/2025

Mitchells & Butlers Delivers Strong Full-Year Performance With 4.2% Like-For-Like Growth Pub Giant Accelerates Investment Programme While Maintaining Market-Leading Position Across UK Estate

Mitchells & Butlers has announced impressive full-year results, with like-for-like sales climbing 4.2% for the fiscal year ending 20th September 2025, demonstrating the resilience of the UK's hospitality sector leader.

The FTSE 250-listed operator, which runs popular brands including Harvester, Toby Carvery, and All Bar One, saw its fourth quarter contribute significantly to this performance, with like-for-like sales advancing 3.1% in the final three months of the trading period.

Fourth quarter trading showed particularly encouraging trends across both revenue streams, with food sales increasing 3.4% and beverage sales growing 1.9% on a like-for-like basis. Total sales across the company's 51-week trading period rose 3.9%, reinforcing the group's position as a consistent outperformer in challenging market conditions.

The results revealed interesting regional and segment variations in performance. Mid-market pub and pub restaurant formats delivered particularly robust trading, while the company's London-based venues and premium restaurant concepts experienced more modest growth rates during the period.

Chief Executive Phil Urban highlighted the broad-based nature of the company's success, emphasising how performance strength extended across the entire brand portfolio,
"We are pleased with our performance this year, in which we have remained consistently ahead of the market across all market segments. Sales growth has been broad based, with strong like-for-like performances in both food and drink across our portfolio of brands, supported by cost efficiencies and a capital programme that continues to deliver strong returns." He said.

The investment strategy showed clear acceleration during the year, with the company completing 201 site conversions and remodelling projects – a significant increase from the 185 completed in fiscal 2024. This ambitious refurbishment programme forms part of Mitchells & Butlers' long-term strategy to maintain its competitive edge and enhance customer experience across its estate.

Expansion activity also featured in the year's achievements, with the opening of two new venues: an Alex-branded site in Germany marking the company's international presence, and a new Browns location in London's competitive dining market. Additionally, the group strengthened its property position by acquiring freehold interests in two existing operational sites.

Looking forward, management expressed confidence about meeting analyst forecasts for the current financial year, despite acknowledging significant cost pressures ahead. The company anticipates facing inflationary headwinds of approximately £130 million in the coming year – equivalent to around 6% of its total cost base.

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Mitchells & Butlers has announced impressive full-year results, with like-for-like sales climbing 4.2% for the fiscal year ending 20th September 2025, demonstrating the resilience of the UK's hospitality sector leader. The FTSE 250-listed operator, which runs popular brands including Harvester, Toby...

26/09/2025

Rick Stein Group Reports Widening Losses Amid Trading Challenges

The Rick Stein restaurant empire has reported significantly increased losses for 2024, with the group's flagship operations experiencing declining revenues and workforce reductions as economic pressures continue to bite.

Latest filings with Companies House reveal that The Seafood Restaurant (Padstow), the cornerstone of Stein's hospitality portfolio, saw turnover drop to £18.8 million from £20.2 million in the previous year. More concerning for shareholders, pre-tax losses more than doubled from £204,000 to £459,000.

The pattern was mirrored across other key trading entities. Seafood Trading, another major component of the group, experienced identical revenue declines while pre-tax losses expanded from £892,000 to £1.1 million. Meanwhile, Stein's Trading saw turnover edge down from £11.8 million to £11.4 million, with losses increasing from £163,000 to £290,000.

Adding to the group's challenges the group is currently consulting with staff at its Marlborough restaurant regarding a potential closure. However, the company remains hopeful that the venue can be saved.

A spokesperson indicated that the Marlborough site has underperformed compared to other locations in the group's portfolio of twelve restaurants, cookery school, and meal kit business.

In their statutory filing, directors outlined the multiple challenges facing the business throughout 2024. The board highlighted how the "prolonged effect of the national cost-of-living crisis" continued to impact operations, with persistent high inflation and weakening consumer confidence creating a perfect storm for hospitality operators.

The group has implemented various mitigation strategies, including menu price adjustments, recipe engineering, and enhanced procurement practices to offset rising ingredient costs. However, these measures were insufficient to counteract broader economic pressures.

A particular challenge came from the substantial 9.8% increase in the national minimum wage, which directors noted placed "additional strain on profitability." While the group managed some recovery through improved labour management, the impact remained significant.

The Easter trading period proved especially difficult, with guest numbers falling sharply compared to previous years, delivering what directors described as a "sizeable impact to profitability" during what should have been a peak period.

The financial pressures translated into job losses, with combined employment across The Seafood Restaurant (Padstow) and Seafood Trading falling from 398 to 355 staff members during 2024.

Despite the challenging headline figures, there were indications of improvement in the latter part of the year. Directors reported that from June 2024 onwards, the group achieved year-on-year improvements in EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation), suggesting operational performance was stabilising.

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The Rick Stein restaurant empire has reported significantly increased losses for 2024, with the group's flagship operations experiencing declining revenues and workforce reductions as economic pressures continue to bite. Latest filings with Companies House reveal that The Seafood Restaurant (Padstow...

26/09/2025

Julian Smith MP Opens New SIBA Headquarters in Ripon

Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE, Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, officially opened the new Headquarters of the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) in Ripon this week (Wednesday, 24 September).

Julian visited SIBA’s new premises on Dallamires Lane, where he was welcomed by Chief Executive Andy Slee and members of the SIBA team, including North East Regional Director Joe Joyce of Harrogate Brewery. The visit included a tour of the facility, as well as discussions on the future of independent brewing in the UK and key industry concerns ahead of the Budget.

Speaking at the event, Julian said,
“I am grateful to open SIBA’s new office here in Ripon. Independent brewers are a cornerstone of our local and national economy, and I am proud that Ripon is now home to an organisation doing so much to support them. I look forward to seeing SIBA continue to thrive and champion the best of British beer.”

The new office will serve as a hub for SIBA’s operations, bringing together staff and resources to better support its members and industry partners

Andy Slee, SIBA Chief Executive, welcomed Sir Julian to the new headquarters for the trade association; “Sir Julian has been a keen supporter of our sector for many years. It was great to welcome him to our new office in Ripon and share with him the opportunities and challenges facing Britain’s independent brewing sector. We know we have a friend in Westminster

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Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE, Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, officially opened the new Headquarters of the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) in Ripon this week (Wednesday, 24 September). Julian visited SIBA’s new premises on Dallamires Lane, where he was welcomed...

26/09/2025

Communities To Seize Control Over High Streets And Restore Pride

Local communities will be handed new powers to revitalise their high streets and restore pride in their towns.

People will be given the power to revitalise their neglected high streets, create new spaces for young people and take back control of derelict pubs, to breathe new life into neglected communities up and down the country.

Communities will be handed new powers to seize boarded up shops, save their local pubs or libraries and clean up the eyesores in their area.

Sir Keir Starmer said it represented a "huge investment", and that those who "know their communities best" would decide how the money would be spent.

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed said:
“When people step out of their front doors, they know their communities are struggling. They see shuttered pubs, fading high streets and their local areas in decline.

“Yes, communities have been stretched – but they haven’t given up. They’re working hard to make things better, and we’re backing them.

“The Government is putting power into their hands so local people decide how best to restore pride in their neighbourhoods, not us in Westminster.

“That’s what real patriotism looks like: building up our communities and choosing renewal over division.”

The nationwide Pride in Place programme – which was unveiled by the Prime Minister yesterday, (Thursday, 25 September) – will, the government says, deliver a record investment and support over 330 communities in total. It will tackle deep-rooted deprivation and regional inequality through wide-ranging action, including:

- Community Right to Buy: handing local people the power to buy beloved assets, helping them turn around derelict pubs, create new parks and regenerate treasured spaces in the heart of their communities.
- Compulsory Purchase powers: allowing communities in England to acquire assets and eyesores like boarded up shops and derelict abandoned businesses, allowing new local start-ups to thrive. For larger sites – like disused department stores or abandoned office blocks – it could even see new health centres opening up, or local housing to help reach our target of 1.5 million homes.
- Power to block unwanted shops: empowering councils in England to say no to new betting shops, v**es stores and fake barbers.
- Giving residents the power: we will only approve spending if community groups, local organisations and social clubs have been included in decisions on how the money should be spent – putting real power in local hands and giving them a proper say over their community.

The programme will introduce new powers that would give communities more control over where betting shops can open, and how many there can be in one area, giving people a say over their high street, particularly where there are high numbers of these types of shop already, not blocking these shops altogether.

It will also look at accelerating ways communities can take ownership of empty shops - helping to give them a greater say over what’s on their high streets, so they don’t just end up with rows of v**e shops, gambling shops and barbers. The government is already bringing in new laws to crack down on dodgy v**e shops through the To***co and Vapes Bill.

The Pride in Place funding will be delivered in England, Scotland and Wales, with corresponding funding provided to Northern Ireland. The government will be working closely with the Scottish and Welsh Governments to design specific programmes which put the principles of the strategy of community engagement at the centre. Further detail on Northern Ireland, including support for Belfast, will follow.

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Local communities will be handed new powers to revitalise their high streets and restore pride in their towns. People will be given the power to revitalise their neglected high streets, create new spaces for young people and take back control of derelict pubs, to breathe new life into neglected comm...

25/09/2025

CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide Is A ‘Testament To The Resilience Of Publicans’ Amid Sky-High Tax Burden

CAMRA has published the 2026 Good Beer Guide along with a clear message to the Chancellor: it’s a make-or-break moment for the future of independent brewers and consumer choice.

The Guide is the definitive guidebook to pubs that serve great cask beer across the UK, and uses an independent, volunteer-led selection process that makes it the authoritative and trusted voice of cask beer drinkers.

However, CAMRA warns the latest figures shows another drop in brewery numbers across the UK, almost all being smaller and independent operators, which the Campaign says are vital to consumer choice.

- 149 breweries have closed, and only 71 new breweries have opened.
- 36 pubs that featured in the 2025 Guide have closed. One of those has been converted and the rest are shut with an uncertain future.
- There are 900 new entries in the 2026 Guide, showing that pubs are beating the odds to provide quality and choice despite tough economic conditions.

In a year where iconic parts of the UK’s brewing heritage, such as Banks’s in Wolverhampton closed their gates for good, and more independent brewers closed than opened, the Guide remains the go-to source for finding choice and quality in pubs.

Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA Chairman, said:
“This really is a make-or-break Budget for the Chancellor. It’s time for the Government to decide if they’re pro pubs and independent brewers, or if they are going to reign over the demise of the great British Pub. Consumers want decisive action to get independent beers onto bars and allow pubs to thrive.

“Each edition of the Good Beer Guide is a collectible snapshot of beer and pub culture that year. This year’s Guide is a testament to the remarkable resilience of publicans, continuing to achieve excellence and choice for consumers despite a backdrop of sky-high tax bills and a lack of action from Government. The Chancellor needs to use the upcoming Budget to slash the tax burden on pubs, including VAT, duty and National Insurance contributions.”

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