Budget could destroy seventh-generation pub giant, warns boss November 18, 2024 The changes announced in the Budget represent an ‘existential threat’ to the future of a seventh-generation pub and brewing giant, its owner has warned. William Lees-Jones, who owns and runs Manchester-based JW Lees, which has produced real ale since 1828, has warned he is now “facing the very real prospect that we will never be able to [...]
Virgin Wines: Revenue flat as it looks to weather bottleneck in market October 22, 2024 Online wine seller Virgin Wines has reported flat year-on-year revenue as it searches for ways to acquire loyal customers and increase efficiency in a tough trading environment. Total revenue remained at £59m in the year ended 28 June, while profit before tax increased by £2.4m to £1.7m, from a loss of £0.7m in 2023. Adjusted [...]
Brewdog: James Watt ‘frustrated’ as brewer loses almost £60m October 16, 2024 Brewdog remains in the red despite a sharp uplift in its sales during its latest financial year, founder James Watt has revealed. In a post on social media, the former CEO said the Aberdeenshire-based business increased its revenue by 14 per cent to £366m in 2023. He added that it cut its operating loss to [...]
Sipsmith: Sales at gin maker fall for fifth year in a row October 14, 2024 Sales at gin maker Sipsmith have fallen for a fifth year in a row as it continues in the red. The London-based brand has reported a turnover of £14.2m for 2023 and a pre-tax loss of £17.2m, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. The new totals come after Sipsmith posted a turnover of £18.2m [...]
Wine sellers in ‘bleak’ alcohol duty tax burden warning October 7, 2024 Four of the UK’s biggest wine sellers have said that upcoming changes to alcohol duty will lead to price rises in a “bleak” warning to their customers. Majestic, Laithwaites, The Wine Society and Cambridge Wine Merchants are amongst the wine businesses who together launched a poster campaign against changes to the excise duty. Excise Duty [...]
Asahi: Peroni and London Pride brewer slips further into the red October 7, 2024 Japanese beer maker Asahi, whose brands also include Peroni, saw its UK division slip further into the red during its latest financial year. The London-headquartered arm posted a pre-tax loss of £14m for 2023, having also lost £6.3m in the prior 12 months. Asahi UK last reported a pre-tax profit when it achieved a total [...]
Seedlip revolutionised alcohol free drinking. Now its founder has a new product: We tried it first October 6, 2024 Ben Branson birthed the alcohol free spirits scene when he launched Seedlip nearly ten years ago. Five years after selling his majority share, he’s ready to change the face of drinking. Again. He talks to Adam Bloodworth Through the launch of Seedlip, Ben Branson established a reputation as the founding father of the alcohol free [...]
Sales near £2bn at Glenfiddich and Hendricks Gin distiller October 3, 2024 Sales at the maker of the likes of Glenfiddich and Hendricks Gin surged to almost £2bn as its profit passed the £500m mark during 2023. William Grant & Sons, which is headquartered in Scotland, has reported a turnover of £1.96bn for its latest financial year, up from the £1.72bn it achieved in 2022. Newly-filed accounts [...]
Ab Inbev: Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona producer continues to make huge loss despite price rises September 30, 2024 The UK arm of Ab Inbev, which brews Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona, continued to make a substantial loss during its latest financial year despite raising its prices. The London-headquartered division not made a pre-tax profit since the £40.9m it reported in 2020. Since then the business has lost £6.4m in 2021, £89.5m in 2022 [...]
The Debate: Wetherspoons – is it magical or miserable? September 12, 2024 Wetherspoons, JD Wetherspoon, or Spoons as most of us call it. Should we be proud or ashamed?