Last orders: Boss of under-fire pub regulator defends her record September 29, 2026 The Pubs Code Adjudicator, Fiona Dickie, is preparing to step away early next year. She tells Felix Armstrong why the beleaguered watchdog deserves a future Can an industry watchdog be effective if it has launched only two investigations in its 10 years of existence? Yes – at least according to Fiona Dickie, the Pubs Code [...]
Premier Inn’s German expansion not a mistake, Whitbread tells activist investor September 25, 2026 Premier Inn owner Whitbread has been forced to defend its expansion into Germany after the activist investor seeking to gain a board seat cast significant doubt over the move. The FTSE 100 hospitality giant, which also owned Beefeater and Brewers Fayre, first expanded into Germany in 2014 and now operates 75 Premier Inn hotels in [...]
Lord’s Cricket Ground, West Ham, EY among creditors owed £190m by Brewdog September 24, 2026 Lord’s Cricket Club, West Ham United and Big Four accounting firm EY are among the big-name firms which are owed £190m by Brewdog. The craft beer firm collapsed earlier this year and its administrators have said that its unsecured creditors, who are owed £189.9m, will not be paid back. AlixPartners, Brewdog’s administrators, said there are [...]
Burnham urged to boost West End with tax cuts and extra policing September 24, 2026 The West End risks losing its status as one of the world’s best shopping and hospitality destinations without immediate action to cut tax and boost policing, Andy Burnham has been warned. The New West End Company (NWEC), which represents 800 businesses involved in the world-famous district, has urged the government to slash business rates and [...]
The Debate: Should Borough Market allow franchising? September 23, 2026 Bakery Bread Ahead claims it is being booted out of Borough Market for being "too successful" but should the market encourage expansion?
Premier Inn owner Whitbread faces board pressure from activist investor September 22, 2026 Premier Inn owner Whitbread is facing pressure to hand a board seat to an influential activist investor after it voiced “growing concern” with the firm’s turnaround plans. The FTSE 100 hospitality giant said in April it would slash thousands of jobs and sell off all of its restaurants in a bid to keep up with [...]
Business rates cut will ‘backfire’ for Soho and West End September 22, 2026 John Healey’s plans to deliver an emergency tax cut for high street businesses would fail to boost most firms in London’s busiest areas like Soho and the West End, analysis suggests. The Chancellor is reportedly planning to cut taxes for pubs, shops, cafes and restaurants by hiking the threshold for small business rates relief (SBBR). [...]
‘Less allegation’: Brewdog hits out at former owners September 21, 2026 Brewdog’s new owners have sought to distance the company from its founders James Watt and Martin Dickie with a new campaign that pledges the controversial brewer will be “run properly” and attract a “little less allegation”. The craft beer firm, which is now owned by US cannabis firm Tilray, has launched a multi-million pound campaign [...]
Burnham told to deliver 10 per cent hospitality VAT after backing tax cut September 14, 2026 More than 800 hospitality businesses have called on Andy Burnham to make good on his support for lower VAT, piling pressure on the prime minister ahead of next month’s Budget. Pub giants, restaurant chains, hotels and some of Britain’s best-known chefs have signed an open letter demanding the government cut hospitality VAT from 20 per [...]
How Fevertree is taking on tap water to woo Gen-Z September 13, 2026 The world’s biggest ginger beer producer is waging war on tap water. Fevertree, best known for its premium tonics, is urging customers to see its products as standalone soft drinks, rather than as mixers for the harder stuff. “Tap water is not a very appealing, aspirational alternative” to alcohol, says the drinks maker’s chief executive, [...]