The Morning Advertiser

06/11/2025

THE GOOD NEWS: Shepherd Neame installs six defibrillators in pubs across Kent and Essex

Shepherd Neame has installed new lifesaving defibrillators at six of its pubs across Kent and Essex, including the The Bellhouse in Leigh-on-Sea.

Read here:
https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/01/09/positive-stories-about-the-pub-sector-in-2025/

Pubs are facing an extremely tough time, but we also want to show the positive news going on within the industry in 2025.

06/11/2025

With International Stout Day a few days ago, few categories are fizzing with as much momentum as stout.

Once a winter comfort, it’s now a year-round staple, and, for the first time, it’s not just the “old boys” drinking it.

Read here:
https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/11/06/the-year-of-the-black-pint-stout-finds-fresh-energy-and-new-fans/

Stout is booming, with sales up 10.6% year-on-year and younger drinkers driving growth. Once a winter favourite, the black pint is now a year-round staple as pubs expand ranges and brands like Guinness, BrewDog and Shepherd Neame tap into new audiences ahead of International Stout Day.

06/11/2025

The Coaching Inn Group, RedCat Hospitality’s hotel division, has been named Hotel Group of the Year by consumer information channel Which?.

Operating more than 1,000 rooms across its 36-strong portfolio, the group achieved an overall satisfaction score of 81% from consumers, topping the league in the large hotel chains category.

Read here:
https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/11/06/coaching-inn-group-wins-which-hotel-group-of-the-year-award/

The Coaching Inn Group was awarded the Which? Hotel Group of the Year, achieving an 81% satisfaction score from consumers across its 36 inns.

06/11/2025

Why the next generation of publicans will redefine the great British pub...

It’s where we celebrate, commiserate penalty defeats, debate, and connect. Over centuries, pubs have adapted with the times and today they remain central to our social fabric.

Read here:
https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/11/06/raising-the-bar-how-the-next-generation-of-publicans-is-transforming-british-pubs/

Discover why Britain’s pubs are evolving. From community hubs to innovative experiences, Stonegate Group's Dan Castle explores how the next generation of publicans is redefining tradition and shaping the future of hospitality.

06/11/2025

Flight Club opens seventh site this year in Newcastle

Opening tomorrow (Friday 7 Nov) in the city’s at Eldon Square, Flight Club Newcastle is the 29th Flight Club venue to open globally since the first bar opened in Shoreditch, London.

Read here:
https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/11/06/flight-club-opens-new-venue-in-newcastle/

Flight Club is set to open its seventh venue this year in Newcastle's Eldon Square on 7 November, featuring two bars and 14 semi-private oches.

06/11/2025

Food and drink costs in hospitality sector hit record high after six consecutive months of price hikes

Operators continued to face rising costs in key food categories last month, driven by high energy and labour expenses, new data has revealed.

Read here:
https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/11/06/food-costs-in-pubs-hit-record-high-after-six-month-of-price-hikes/

Food and drink costs in the UK's hospitality sector hit a record high in September, rising 0.7% according to the Foodservice Price Index. Key drivers included a 2.9% increase in oils and fats due to global supply shortages and a 1.6% rise in bread and cereal prices influenced by domestic operational...

06/11/2025

Arc Inspirations posts solid year ahead of London flagship opening

Arc Inspirations has reported revenue of £48m for the year to 31 March 2025, up 2% on the previous year, supported by new openings, strong festive trading, and improved site-level profitability.

The Leeds-based bar group, which operates around 20 venues across the UK under the Box, Manahatta and Banyan brands, delivered underlying profit of £5.2m.

Read here:
https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/11/05/arc-inspirations-posts-48m-revenue-and-secures-4m-funding-for-expansion/

Arc Inspirations, operator of BOX, Manahatta and Banyan, has reported £48m revenue and £5.2m profit for FY25, supported by record festive trading and margin growth. The bar group has secured £4m in new funding to accelerate expansion, including its first London venue and upcoming sites in Liverpo...

06/11/2025

OPINION: Should pubs say no to Halloween events?

Every year, as the nights draw in and pumpkins start appearing in shop windows, pubs across the country transform into haunted houses, draped in cobwebs, skeletons, and fake blood.

Read here:
https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/10/31/should-pubs-say-no-to-halloween-events-a-cost-versus-value-debate/

06/11/2025

FEATURE: People want to stay in a pub, not a generic hotel

Whether it’s that coastal break, that sneaky night away to the country or that all important business trip, pubs are the first choice for many customers who don’t want to stay at a soulless hotel chain.

Read Here:
https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/11/03/pubs-with-rooms-offer-charm-comfort-and-real-local-flavour/

Research shows pubs provide friendlier stays, great food and authentic experiences – making them a top choice over chain hotels for overnight guests.

05/11/2025

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) chairman Tim Martin has blasted the continued increase in labour costs as the root cause of the widening of pricing between pubs and supermarkets.

He said: “Increased labour costs are, consequently, dramatically widening the pricing differential between pubs and supermarkets, to the anger and consternation of customers.

Read here:
https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/11/05/jdw-chair-slams-labour-and-energy-costs-in-q1-update/

JD Wetherspoon chair Tim Martin blames rising labour and energy costs for widening price gap between pubs and supermarkets in latest trading update.

05/11/2025

Craft distillers have called for support from the Government in the Autumn Budget.

Following Rachel Reeves’ pre-Budget speech on Tuesday 4 November, spirits makers have joined forces to ask her to Small Producers Relief to alcohol over 8.5%.

Read here:
https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/11/04/craft-distillers-urge-duty-reform-in-autumn-budget-plea/

UK craft distillers call for spirits to be included in Small Producer Relief to ensure fair duty treatment and support sector growth.

05/11/2025

The Lock In podcast team takes a deep dive into some of the issues the sector is facing.

Helping us on our journey are a range of expert guests, including UKHospitality CEO Allen Simpson, and recruitment guru Abi Dunn of Sixty Eight People. We take a look at deployment challenges with Butcombe COO Jayson Perfect and S4 Labour’s Richard Hartley.

https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/11/03/the-morning-advertisers-lock-in-podcast-episode-104/

In this episode of The Lock In, industry experts including UKHospitality CEO Allen Simpson and recruitment specialist Abi Dunn dive into the mounting pressures of staffing in hospitality. From legal insights to youth employment and labour efficiency, discover how operators can navigate today’s tou...