By Denis Sheehan, Publisher, H&C News: British Beer and Pub Association members refused energy contracts. The British Beer and Pub Association are today reporting that member hospitality businesses across the UK are being refused energy contracts from suppliers, placing them under additional financial burden as they look to recover from the … [Read more...]
The ‘Club Residencies Project’ returns to The Bloomsbury Club Bar with BlackTail
The Bloomsbury Club Bar (BCB) is delighted to announce that they will be hosting the first ever residency from New York City’s critically-acclaimed BlackTail – from the team behind The Dead Rabbit (World’s Best Bar)– as part of the ‘Club Residencies Project’. BlackTail will kick-off their three night residency at BCB on Thursday 9th February 2017, with an innovative cocktail … [Read more...]
Iconic Music Venue to relaunch in 2017
With a long and rich history within London’s live music and nightlife scene, The Garage in Islington has always been regarded as one of the city’s landmark venues. Now, relaunching in February 2017, under new ownership and following an extensive refurbishment, The Garage will be transformed into a destination venue and its iconic reputation reignited. As well as housing the … [Read more...]
Piper exits Loungers to Lion Capital in a transaction valued at £137m
Lion Capital LLP (“Lion”), Piper LLP (“Piper”), and the founders of Loungers Limited (“Loungers”) are pleased to announce that Lion has acquired a majority stake in Loungers through the acquisition of Piper’s stake in the company and a portion of the founders’ stake, in a transaction which values the business at £137m. Loungers is a fast-growing UK chain of informal, … [Read more...]
Star commences work on second Reading refurbishment
Star Pubs & Bars and Thirsty Bear Group Ltd have commenced work on a £500,000 refurbishment of the Wynford Arms in central Reading to reopen the pub after an 18- month closure. The development will convert the pub into a bar and New York style pizzeria called Thirsty Bear. The site will be the first Thirsty Bear with partners Vince Healy (managing director of Ascot Inns) … [Read more...]
Bubbledogs launch ‘bubble shop’ for the festive season
Bubbledogs, the gourmet hot dog and champagne bar in Fitzrovia, have uncorked their very own bottle shop in time for the festive season, stocking a curated collection of the finest grower champagnes handpicked by award-winning sommelier and bubbledogs co-founder, Sandia Chang. Bringing a sparkle to this year’s festive season, the ‘Bubble Shop’ promises to be the saviour of … [Read more...]
Heineken to acquire Punch Taverns Pub portfolio
Heineken N.V. (‘HEINEKEN’) has announced today that following Vine Acquisitions Limited’s announcement of a recommended cash offer for Punch Taverns plc, Heineken through Heineken UK has agreed a back-to-back deal with Vine Acquisitions to acquire Punch Securitisation A (‘Punch A’), comprising approximately 1,900 pubs across the UK. Compelling Rationale Heineken entered … [Read more...]
Greene King Pub partners raise a glass to beer support
Greene King Pub Partners has launched a support package for licensees in its tenanted and leased pubs to help them drive sales of cask and keg ales. A range of information and advice for Greene King licensees will enable them to create the best possible cask ale range and outlines the different beer quality training options available to guarantee serving a good pint. As … [Read more...]
Circo welcome record demand as bookings start for new 2017 concept
The team behind the city’s Circo brand has been welcomed with record demand for its new concept that is set to be launched next year. Just minutes after the ticket line officially opened, more than 400 Circo supporters secured bookings for the venue’s new ‘dinner show with a difference’, which will take place in its new Seel Street home in early 2017. Owner Jason McNeill … [Read more...]
Behind This Wall launches winter menu
Behind This Wall, the subterranean neighbourhood cocktail bar on Hackney’s Mare Street, is launching its new winter menu on Monday 19th December 2016. Following on from the huge success of its experimental Autumn cocktail and food menu, the highly conceptual winter offering at Behind This Wall will fuse mid-Western sensibilities with Korean cooking techniques and features … [Read more...]
Lobby On Hill Street launches 12 Days Of Christmas giveaway
Lobby On Hill Street Are Bringing the City’s Christmas Cheer with Famous ‘Macy’s’ Style Christmas Trees & A 12 Day Giveaway! Birmingham city centre’s newest bar and eatery, Lobby on Hill Street are pleased to reveal their ‘Macy’s’ inspired Christmas Trees and a massive Christmas give away! To celebrate the 12 days to Christmas, Lobby on Hill Street will be spreading … [Read more...]
Tim Martin challenges BBPA CEO on Brexit
In a recent prediction for 2017, Brigid Simmonds, of the BBPA, told the pub industry press that “the coming year will be dominated by Brexit and its consequences”. Brigid is rightly admired in the licensed trade for her excellent work, but I don’t feel that this is an accurate portrayal of the next 12 months, or indeed future years. By far the greatest cost increases for … [Read more...]
Punch Taverns Commercial Director announces retirement
After 30 years in the Pub industry, Punch Commercial Director John Healy has decided to retire from the business. John will retain overall responsibility for the Punch Commercial team until the end of this calendar year and, during this time, will be introducing a new structure. From the start of 2017, the Commercial team will then report to Marketing Director Neil … [Read more...]
Dartmoor Brewery hits the “Marque”
Leading craft ale producer Dartmoor Brewery is the first Devon brewer to become a corporate member of Cask Marque, the prestigious national award scheme promoting topquality beer. The brewery will be using the commercial advantages of its new Cask Marque membership to sponsor their permanent beer stockists towards their own Cask Marque awards, and is aiming to be one of a … [Read more...]
Wetherspoons opening its new pub in Edinburgh
Pub operator JD Wetherspoon is to open its new pub in Edinburgh on Tuesday, December 13, with the creation of 124 new jobs. The company has spent £2.5 million developing the outlet, on the site of former live music venue The Picture House, in Lothian Road. The Wetherspoon pub, which will be called The Caley Picture House, will be managed by Matthew Knowles. The Grade … [Read more...]