Hospitality leaders ramp up pressure on Labour to slash VAT June 11, 2026 Leaders of top hospitality firms have ramped up pressure on Labour to slash VAT, which they warn is leading to hundreds of thousands of job losses. Pub chains JD Wetherspoon, Fuller’s and Greene King, as well as hotel giant Hilton and Mexican restaurant chain Wahaca, have thrown their weight behind a campaign to cut Value [...]
Podcast: Palantir to sue Sadiq Khan, GSK’s $10bn mega-deal, and could the World Cup rescue pubs? June 10, 2026 In today’s episode of City AM’s Business As Usual podcast, we get stuck in the top stories of the day – from a major pharma M&A deal to a US software giant poised to take legal action against the Mayor of London. City Editor Simon Hunt gives his round up of major markets stories, as Pharma giant [...]
Fuller’s slams ‘unprecedented government interference’ in pub sector June 10, 2026 The boss of Fuller’s has slammed Labour for “unprecedented government interference” into the pub sector, which he says is to blame for 5,800 pubs closing in a decade. Simon Emeny, executive chairman of Fuller, Smith and Turner, has launched a broadside against the government’s hikes to business rates, national insurance contributions and alcohol duty. “When [...]
Nail your hospitality package this summer with Exact Lifestyle June 9, 2026 A hospitality package can make or break a trip to a summer sporting event. Exact Lifestyle can make sure everything goes according to plan With Exact Lifestyle, I have spent years arranging access to some of the UK’s most sought-after events, from sporting finals to sold out stadium gigs. Over the years, I’ve learnt that the [...]
James Watt: I want to buy back Brewdog June 8, 2026 Brewdog founder James Watt has revealed he wants to buy back the craft beer firm he quit years ago, as he hit out at those who blame him for its collapse. Watt recently launched a comeback designed to win over the “equity punks” who piled millions into his initial venture but saw no returns from [...]
Burnham vows to cut the price of a pint as he turns on Labour tax rises June 6, 2026 Andy Burnham has launched a major policy intervention of the Makerfield by-election campaign with a pledge to cut business rates for pubs and ease the tax burden on small businesses, marking a clear break with Keir Starmer’s government. The Greater Manchester mayor said Labour had “got it wrong” on small businesses as he unveiled plans [...]
How Young’s is shrugging off hospitality gloom June 3, 2026 Like many of his Square Mile customers, Young’s boss Simon Dodd knows how to schmooze with booze. Three years ago, the listed pub chain exec invited rival Clive Watson, the founder of City Pub Group, for lunch at Smiths, the top-notch bar and grill atop Smithfield market, for a steak and a glass of wine. [...]
Pub bosses warn tax hikes driving youth unemployment crisis June 1, 2026 Pub bosses have warned that Labour tax hikes are driving the youth unemployment crisis, which is pushing the UK towards an “economic catastrophe”. Several hospitality leaders have called on the government to reverse its increases to employer national insurance contributions (NICs), which pubs say are making it harder for them to hire young people. Last [...]
Reeves’ summer of fun won’t deliver growth May 29, 2026 Instead of attempting to stimulate demand, Reeves should focus on helping hospitality from the supply-side, writes Matthew Bowles.
World Cup can save British pubs from government uncertainty this summer May 28, 2026 When England kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia next month, many will be watching from the comfort of pubs nationwide. While a 9pm kick-off means beer gardens might not be as sun-kissed as we’re used to, the tournament is set to be a significant opportunity for a hospitality sector that is in desperate [...]