Ghost Ship brewer Adnams cuts staff after ‘challenging’ trading September 4, 2026 Adnams, the brewer of Ghost Ship ale, has resorted to letting go of staff as it takes emergency measures to face up to “challenging” trading conditions. The Suffolk-based brewer and pub owner told shareholders it has kicked off “a series of operational, commercial and labour management initiatives” after facing worse-than-expected sales at the start of [...]
Holiday Inn owner IHG urges Burnham to drop tourist tax September 3, 2026 The UK boss of Holiday Inn-owner IHG has urged Andy Burnham to drop plans for a tourist tax, which they said will deter tourists and investors from the country’s hospitality sector. Neetu Mistry, the hotel group’s UK and Ireland managing director, told City AM that she has directly warned the government against the policy, which [...]
Brewdog founder James Watt hits out at ‘total silence’ over new venture August 26, 2026 Brewdog co-founder James Watt has hit out at the “total silence” surrounding his latest venture, a drink designed to prevent hangovers. The craft beer tycoon wrote on LinkedIn: “Normally, if I cough loudly, three journalists file copy about it. Yesterday we did a world first and the press said nothing. “Not a peep. Total silence,” [...]
Burnham accused of ‘piecemeal’ business rates reform August 24, 2026 Andy Burnham has been accused of taking a “piecemeal” approach to business rates instead of committing to Labour’s manifesto pledge to replace the tax system. The government has launched a review into how business rates bills are calculated for pubs and hotels, but industry bodies have urged the Prime Minister to commit to wholesale reform [...]
Treasury launches business rates review for pubs and hotels August 24, 2026 The Treasury has launched a review into how business rates are calculated for pubs and hotels in the government’s latest bid to boost businesses operating in town centres. Launched on Monday, the government said the review will “look at improving fairness for businesses” and will aim “to ensure the system is fair and transparent, and [...]
Travelodge boss quits amid backlash over hotel sexual assault August 20, 2026 Travelodge boss Jo Boydell has quit as the budget hotel brand pursues an overhaul of its safety measures following a sexual assault at one of its sites. The group said on Thursday that Boydell will depart with immediate effect after 13 years in the role, thanking the chief executive for her “dedication” to the group. [...]
Diageo boss ‘drastic’ Dave Lewis eyes £20m pay deal as 2,000 jobs slashed August 18, 2026 Diageo boss Sir Dave Lewis could take home as much as £20m in pay for the next year, it has emerged, while the drinks giant sheds 2,000 staff. The chief executive of the Guinness and Smirnoff maker could make as much as £20m in the year to June 2027, though he is more likely to [...]
Inside Formula 1’s £10,000 hospitality ticket on the back of a moving lorry August 11, 2026 Formula 1 is expanding the roll-out of a £10,000-per-head hospitality experience which allows VIPs to dine on the track aboard a “travelling dining room”. The Out Lap kicked off in Spa before the summer break but will continue in Zandvoort, Monza and Madrid after a sell-out in Belgium as part of the mega-deal between Formula [...]
Five-star Mayfair hotel hit with HMRC winding-up petition August 11, 2026 A five-star Mayfair hotel has been hit with a winding-up petition by the UK tax authority, just months after the sudden departure of its managing director. The Stafford London, a 107-room luxury hotel, was served the petition by HMRC after a filing was made to the High Court, City AM can reveal. A winding-up petition [...]
Will Drastic Dave live up to his name at Diageo? August 4, 2026 Putting the finishing touches to Diageo’s annual report, Sir Dave Lewis may be channelling the old slogan of the drinks giant’s prize brand, Guinness: ‘Good things come to those who wait’. Since Lewis began his tenure as chief executive of the FTSE 100 firm on New Year’s Day, investors have heard very little from him. [...]